All right, to get started let's touch on the obstacle course. As a running theme with this season, I don't have much to say. I like the new Snap Back obstacle. It is very fitting with the previous two cities. Leaps of Faith and Fallout in L.A. and Atlanta, respectively, had very similar vibes as Snap Back: they are all focused on grip strength and soft catches/landings. Leaps of Faith was a blind, backward catch and Fallout had the weird, inverted catch for the first half (sorry, bad description) and the turning boards for the second. I still would not put them all at the same difficulty level, but they all matched pretty well. Based on the glimpse of Tacoma, though, it looks kind of like they are going to break this pattern with the Monkey Bar things. (We've seen them before, I just don't remember the technical name off the top of my head.) I also thought this was a sure-fire way to make someone bleed. We've seen a few bleeders this season from people banging their heads on the obstacle, so I thought for sure we'd see someone suffer from Snap Back. I think someone along the way did bump their head, maybe even The Kid, but it wasn't serious like I thought it would be, which, of course, is a good thing. I promise it's not like I wanted to see someone bleed. Most of my interest in the course was on Snap Back. Although, I did notice that people did Coconut Climb really easily. I don't remember how many of these guys fell/passed Coconut Climb during Qualifiers, but no one had trouble with it. To be honest, I don't remember many people falling on the front half of the course at all. Everyone who ran the Coconut Climb seemed to be able to do it with ease, especially the final dismount. I thought this was more of a challenge in Qualifiers, but everybody seemed perfectly fine with it in Finals.
However, while I have this thought, I think I'll mention it. Not so much in L.A., but the 8th obstacles haven't seemed like too much of a ninja killer. Usually, people drop like flies there, and it is usually the cut-off for advancing. Now, it seems like more people are making it past the 8th obstacle and to the ninth, which is turning into more of the cut-off. Only 2 people who advanced failed on the Crazy Clocks. Up for Grabs in Atlanta was kind of weak, in my opinion, too. The 8th obstacles have been more inconsistent with each other, but they also don't seem to be the way they once were. I feel like seasons 8 and 9 were the most difficult for the City Finals. This was probably because they had the Invisible Ladder (also in season 7), but does anyone else feel like the course has changed? I feel like we're seeing more finishers, too. L.A. was typical with only 2, but Atlanta and OKC both had 5 finishers? Last year, L.A. was the odd one with 9 or something finishers, but everywhere else only had around 1-3, I think, which is what I expect. 5 actually seems like a lot. Does anyone else notice this? Does anyone think the courses are actually getting easier? Maybe everything is the same, and competitors are just getting better? I will say, though, that if the Invisible Ladder was still there instead of the Spider Trap, there would not be 5 finishers. Even Drew Drechsel and Joe Moravsky have fallen on that obstacle. Anyway, just a thought. We are only half way through our City Finals' courses, so we will have to wait for a full analysis.
Let's move on to the biggest news: The Kid vs. Daniel Gil. It was the match-up we all wanted to see, let's be honest. Mentor against Mentee. I thought Gil would take it, but The Kid surprised. But, of course, I still have some thoughts. When Gil and The Kid were walking to line up at the Power Tower, The Kid was taking off his coat which we saw he had on when they panned to him during previous runners' runs, like Gil. The Kid was shown last because his time was so close to Karsten's, but why would he still have his coat on if he really ran last? He probably didn't really run last that night, so it makes us wonder what was the real order? I mention this only because it is like the Isaac Caldiero and Geoff Britten dilemma in season 7. How much time did each runner have in between climbing Stage 4? If Gil had run after The Kid, then The Kid would have had a little more time to recover. Of course, I don't know the order of runners and how it's decided because we all know the order is edited and reordered for television. Thus, this could have been the difference between The Kid and Gil on the Power Tower. Please, if anyone knows I'd love to be enlightened on what happens the night of recording. I hate the Safety Pass to begin with, so quite frankly, I don't care who wins it, but it leaves a bit of wondering. Gil also seemed kind of bitter. You all know I love Gil; he's one of the best and one of my favorites, but he seemed a little upset because he lost. Obviously, he wanted the Safety Pass, but I think Gil was expecting to win. He's used to be number one, especially in the City Finals, so he was shocked to lose. He looked happy for The Kid, but he also look quite irked not too far under the surface. Maybe this was just me, but Gil didn't look completely happy after he lost. I don't think Gil is super arrogant or anything, but he just an odd expression or presence during the interview with Zuri. Maybe he was just disappointed in himself because he knew The Kid was the only real one to give him competition, and he thought he could win.
One last note on The Kid, he did cut it so close. I figured he would be fine because they were showing him last, but it was so close, I thought for a moment that maybe they placed him last because it would be shocking that he lost to Karsten. After the Qualifiers, I really wanted to see The Kid against Gil because this is probably the best match-up we are going to see from the City Finals Power Tower. Thankfully, he made it just in time. If it had been Karsten next to Gil, I think Gil would have been saved.
Before we talk about Karsten, let's mention Matthew Day. He was definitely the next best 19-year old rookie from last year after The Kid, who slid into the first slot because of his connection with Gil. I really wanted to see Day back in Vegas because he has some much promise and potential. It was upsetting to see him miss his shot at the National Finals. It also is worrisome because he's the kind of guy who will probably get dwarfed next year because he fell out early this year. I'm hoping he doesn't lose the spotlight because I'd love to see him lead the next generation of ninjas.
Okay, now Karsten Williams and Jody Avila. I've said this before, but it's only impressive if you can hit a buzzer now versus in previous years. The courses are getting more difficult and are definitely more difficult than the beginning of the show. So, I do have to applaud those who can hit a buzzer now. However, they still were unable to do so all those years before. They are probably getting stronger, but they are also getting older, and the courses are probably going to be constantly changing in the future. I think it's great for them to get their first finals buzzer after all these years, but I don't think their overall ability changes much. Their shot in Vegas probably remains the same for these guys whether or not they complete the City Finals, you know? Still, I can't say anything bad about them. Karsten was also extremely close to getting his shot on the Power Tower. These two guys may be veterans and fairly well-known, but, in my opinion, they are too big for ANW. Avila's nickname is literally The Big Dog Ninja. You can't argue that there is a height and weight limit to ANW. Drew and Joe are 5'9" and 5'10" respectively (I think), and are probably under 175-lbs. Akbar and Matt even point out when a competitor is particularly bigger in comparison. Most of the best are a little shorter and generally more slim and tone in physique. Both Williams and Avila surprised me by finishing. I'm not sure how they'll do in Vegas. I will bet that at least one of them drop on Stage 1. I don't know either of their previous track records in Vegas, so I don't have real predictions.
Finally, the last finisher in OKC: a rookie. I think this is much more impressive than Williams or Avila, even if he was the slowest time. This is a rookie, and he came out and hit two buzzers back-to-back on his first year! Williams and Avila have been at this for a few years and are only now making it up there, but Wright completes it all in his first go. Williams and Avila may be getting stronger and it may be showing, but they also had the advantage of veterans and experience on the real-life courses (this year and previous years in which they failed). Wright was kind of going in blind but still dazzled everyone. I think it's more impressive to be a rookie and do this than an older veteran. I definitely had my doubts about him, probably because they kept hyping up the baking aspect, but now I am on the lookout for him in Vegas. I could definitely see him failing on Stage 1, though. He still seems too inexperienced, so my prediction is that he will fall somewhere, maybe on the Jumping Spider.
In terms of everyone else, Matthew Day was the only big shocker, I think. I was fairly surprised to notice that Recycling Ninja, Jeff Harris, advanced. Not because I think he wasn't good enough, but because they showed him first. I think people who run first do pretty well, but don't make it because... well, they're shown first. He also seems like someone who will fail on Stage 1, just a prediction.
The next three: Nate Burkhardt, Josh Salinas, and Ben Wales are all familiar names. I know Salinas does well, so I think we'll see him on Stage 2. The others, I'm not so sure about. It's harder to remember their histories to make predictions. I have a feeling they tend to get skipped a lot.
I suppose the last thing to talk about is the women. Taylor Amann was a pleasant surprise. She doesn't really look the part. Jessie, Jesse, Barclay, and Meagan are pretty muscular, you know. She is quite slender, so I was surprised to see her make it all the way to Crazy Clocks and faster than Barclay. Again, I don't think she'll do too well in Vegas, but most women don't. I also expected a little more from Barclay, I think. Her greatest disadvantage is her height, but I don't think that affected things as much on the Crazy Clocks. I still consider her one of the best women, and she is super strong, but she never really goes as far as I think she will. I'm not sure she is as deserving of being in the Top women as she used to be. I think she is very capable, but she has yet to really wow us, I think. I want to see her on Stage 2, but honestly, her height may be a problem. There is definitely a sweet spot for height in this competition, and she is well below it.
I don't have much to say. I still hate the Safety Pass and the whole Top 15 thing which I have explained in previous posts. Aside from the obstacles, the Power Tower is the next thing which threw me off. My dream is to see all the cities and Vegas in person and then I will be able to know the actual order the competitors run in. I think this is everything I have to offer. My final prediction for The Kid is that he will definitely use the pass and probably on Stage 2. He ran Stage 1 really well twice, but he did botch in during the All Stars competition. Hopefully, he doesn't waste it, though. It's hard to tell where he will drop the first time on Stage 2. Yes, he made it to the Wing Nuts last year, but this assumes he will be able to pass the Criss Cross Salmon Ladder and Deja Vu again. I could see him slipping up on Deja Vu. However, even if he does get back to the Wing Nuts, falls, and uses the pass, there is no guarantee that he will make it on the second attempt. Like everyone who wins the Safety Pass, he will have to redo the Stage, and if it is Stage 2, he might be too winded to make the leaps. If he couldn't make it last year on the Wing Nuts, doing the course twice isn't going to help. My prediction is that he will still fail on Stage 2. Comment if you have any insights. What are your predictions for these runners? Do you think The Kid will use the Safety Pass on Stage 2? Do you think Gil can make it to Stage 3 without it? Let me know, and I'll talk to you next week!
However, while I have this thought, I think I'll mention it. Not so much in L.A., but the 8th obstacles haven't seemed like too much of a ninja killer. Usually, people drop like flies there, and it is usually the cut-off for advancing. Now, it seems like more people are making it past the 8th obstacle and to the ninth, which is turning into more of the cut-off. Only 2 people who advanced failed on the Crazy Clocks. Up for Grabs in Atlanta was kind of weak, in my opinion, too. The 8th obstacles have been more inconsistent with each other, but they also don't seem to be the way they once were. I feel like seasons 8 and 9 were the most difficult for the City Finals. This was probably because they had the Invisible Ladder (also in season 7), but does anyone else feel like the course has changed? I feel like we're seeing more finishers, too. L.A. was typical with only 2, but Atlanta and OKC both had 5 finishers? Last year, L.A. was the odd one with 9 or something finishers, but everywhere else only had around 1-3, I think, which is what I expect. 5 actually seems like a lot. Does anyone else notice this? Does anyone think the courses are actually getting easier? Maybe everything is the same, and competitors are just getting better? I will say, though, that if the Invisible Ladder was still there instead of the Spider Trap, there would not be 5 finishers. Even Drew Drechsel and Joe Moravsky have fallen on that obstacle. Anyway, just a thought. We are only half way through our City Finals' courses, so we will have to wait for a full analysis.
Let's move on to the biggest news: The Kid vs. Daniel Gil. It was the match-up we all wanted to see, let's be honest. Mentor against Mentee. I thought Gil would take it, but The Kid surprised. But, of course, I still have some thoughts. When Gil and The Kid were walking to line up at the Power Tower, The Kid was taking off his coat which we saw he had on when they panned to him during previous runners' runs, like Gil. The Kid was shown last because his time was so close to Karsten's, but why would he still have his coat on if he really ran last? He probably didn't really run last that night, so it makes us wonder what was the real order? I mention this only because it is like the Isaac Caldiero and Geoff Britten dilemma in season 7. How much time did each runner have in between climbing Stage 4? If Gil had run after The Kid, then The Kid would have had a little more time to recover. Of course, I don't know the order of runners and how it's decided because we all know the order is edited and reordered for television. Thus, this could have been the difference between The Kid and Gil on the Power Tower. Please, if anyone knows I'd love to be enlightened on what happens the night of recording. I hate the Safety Pass to begin with, so quite frankly, I don't care who wins it, but it leaves a bit of wondering. Gil also seemed kind of bitter. You all know I love Gil; he's one of the best and one of my favorites, but he seemed a little upset because he lost. Obviously, he wanted the Safety Pass, but I think Gil was expecting to win. He's used to be number one, especially in the City Finals, so he was shocked to lose. He looked happy for The Kid, but he also look quite irked not too far under the surface. Maybe this was just me, but Gil didn't look completely happy after he lost. I don't think Gil is super arrogant or anything, but he just an odd expression or presence during the interview with Zuri. Maybe he was just disappointed in himself because he knew The Kid was the only real one to give him competition, and he thought he could win.
One last note on The Kid, he did cut it so close. I figured he would be fine because they were showing him last, but it was so close, I thought for a moment that maybe they placed him last because it would be shocking that he lost to Karsten. After the Qualifiers, I really wanted to see The Kid against Gil because this is probably the best match-up we are going to see from the City Finals Power Tower. Thankfully, he made it just in time. If it had been Karsten next to Gil, I think Gil would have been saved.
Before we talk about Karsten, let's mention Matthew Day. He was definitely the next best 19-year old rookie from last year after The Kid, who slid into the first slot because of his connection with Gil. I really wanted to see Day back in Vegas because he has some much promise and potential. It was upsetting to see him miss his shot at the National Finals. It also is worrisome because he's the kind of guy who will probably get dwarfed next year because he fell out early this year. I'm hoping he doesn't lose the spotlight because I'd love to see him lead the next generation of ninjas.
Okay, now Karsten Williams and Jody Avila. I've said this before, but it's only impressive if you can hit a buzzer now versus in previous years. The courses are getting more difficult and are definitely more difficult than the beginning of the show. So, I do have to applaud those who can hit a buzzer now. However, they still were unable to do so all those years before. They are probably getting stronger, but they are also getting older, and the courses are probably going to be constantly changing in the future. I think it's great for them to get their first finals buzzer after all these years, but I don't think their overall ability changes much. Their shot in Vegas probably remains the same for these guys whether or not they complete the City Finals, you know? Still, I can't say anything bad about them. Karsten was also extremely close to getting his shot on the Power Tower. These two guys may be veterans and fairly well-known, but, in my opinion, they are too big for ANW. Avila's nickname is literally The Big Dog Ninja. You can't argue that there is a height and weight limit to ANW. Drew and Joe are 5'9" and 5'10" respectively (I think), and are probably under 175-lbs. Akbar and Matt even point out when a competitor is particularly bigger in comparison. Most of the best are a little shorter and generally more slim and tone in physique. Both Williams and Avila surprised me by finishing. I'm not sure how they'll do in Vegas. I will bet that at least one of them drop on Stage 1. I don't know either of their previous track records in Vegas, so I don't have real predictions.
Finally, the last finisher in OKC: a rookie. I think this is much more impressive than Williams or Avila, even if he was the slowest time. This is a rookie, and he came out and hit two buzzers back-to-back on his first year! Williams and Avila have been at this for a few years and are only now making it up there, but Wright completes it all in his first go. Williams and Avila may be getting stronger and it may be showing, but they also had the advantage of veterans and experience on the real-life courses (this year and previous years in which they failed). Wright was kind of going in blind but still dazzled everyone. I think it's more impressive to be a rookie and do this than an older veteran. I definitely had my doubts about him, probably because they kept hyping up the baking aspect, but now I am on the lookout for him in Vegas. I could definitely see him failing on Stage 1, though. He still seems too inexperienced, so my prediction is that he will fall somewhere, maybe on the Jumping Spider.
In terms of everyone else, Matthew Day was the only big shocker, I think. I was fairly surprised to notice that Recycling Ninja, Jeff Harris, advanced. Not because I think he wasn't good enough, but because they showed him first. I think people who run first do pretty well, but don't make it because... well, they're shown first. He also seems like someone who will fail on Stage 1, just a prediction.
The next three: Nate Burkhardt, Josh Salinas, and Ben Wales are all familiar names. I know Salinas does well, so I think we'll see him on Stage 2. The others, I'm not so sure about. It's harder to remember their histories to make predictions. I have a feeling they tend to get skipped a lot.
I suppose the last thing to talk about is the women. Taylor Amann was a pleasant surprise. She doesn't really look the part. Jessie, Jesse, Barclay, and Meagan are pretty muscular, you know. She is quite slender, so I was surprised to see her make it all the way to Crazy Clocks and faster than Barclay. Again, I don't think she'll do too well in Vegas, but most women don't. I also expected a little more from Barclay, I think. Her greatest disadvantage is her height, but I don't think that affected things as much on the Crazy Clocks. I still consider her one of the best women, and she is super strong, but she never really goes as far as I think she will. I'm not sure she is as deserving of being in the Top women as she used to be. I think she is very capable, but she has yet to really wow us, I think. I want to see her on Stage 2, but honestly, her height may be a problem. There is definitely a sweet spot for height in this competition, and she is well below it.
I don't have much to say. I still hate the Safety Pass and the whole Top 15 thing which I have explained in previous posts. Aside from the obstacles, the Power Tower is the next thing which threw me off. My dream is to see all the cities and Vegas in person and then I will be able to know the actual order the competitors run in. I think this is everything I have to offer. My final prediction for The Kid is that he will definitely use the pass and probably on Stage 2. He ran Stage 1 really well twice, but he did botch in during the All Stars competition. Hopefully, he doesn't waste it, though. It's hard to tell where he will drop the first time on Stage 2. Yes, he made it to the Wing Nuts last year, but this assumes he will be able to pass the Criss Cross Salmon Ladder and Deja Vu again. I could see him slipping up on Deja Vu. However, even if he does get back to the Wing Nuts, falls, and uses the pass, there is no guarantee that he will make it on the second attempt. Like everyone who wins the Safety Pass, he will have to redo the Stage, and if it is Stage 2, he might be too winded to make the leaps. If he couldn't make it last year on the Wing Nuts, doing the course twice isn't going to help. My prediction is that he will still fail on Stage 2. Comment if you have any insights. What are your predictions for these runners? Do you think The Kid will use the Safety Pass on Stage 2? Do you think Gil can make it to Stage 3 without it? Let me know, and I'll talk to you next week!
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