Re: The 2056 Streak has ended!
 

I think this has been building for many years with the consistently high level of play exhibited by 114 and 2056 being a key factor in spurring the other team to up their game. My understanding is that other Toronto area teams have also done a lot of work to help rookies and up-and-coming teams get up to speed more effectively. When I watch the live streams in a little window on my work computer, I rarely see boxes on wheels lurching around, at the Toronto area regionals. Apparently, the local school board is also very supportive.

I also feel there is a psychological aspect to this. I recall sitting with some of the Toronto area teams cheering for 1241, 610 and 1477 in the 2013 Einstein Finals. They said that they had been so dominated by the pairing of 1114 and 2056 that they were amazed to see other Canadian teams make it that far. When 1241/1477/610 won, it seemed that the mentality changed from "only 1114 and 2056 are good enough to win Einstein" to "other Toronto area teams can win Einstein too". They were not just cheering for their friends, they saw hope of doing better themselves.

Re: The 2056 Streak has ended!
 

What's even crazier in my opinion is the fact that 1114 and 2056 are up to their usual excellent standard (with the exception of 1114's com issues), but other teams are catching up to them, specifically 1241.

Re: The 2056 Streak has ended!
 

What specifically caused the COM issues that 1114 were having?
After now just completing our 3rd event, we had at least 4 matches of COM issues where our radio lost power. I suspect its our new radio itself and not the connections.
All of our wiring has always been perfectly in place, and have been inspected. We swapped out our radio only and didnt have a radio-related issue the rest of the event.
I wonder if all that abuse and jarring on the robot damages something internal to this new radio?

Re: The 2056 Streak has ended!
 

I can chime in a little bit here. Towards the end of quals at Waterloo, most teams were dedicating themselves either towards defensive play or offensive play, and scores fell as a result of highly effective defense by all-star defensive teams like 1360 and 3937, who respectively shut down even 148 and 2056 in matches.

In Playoffs, every single team fielded a defensive robot of some sort. Most alliances fielded a conventional courtyard disruption robot, whose purpose was to disrupt opposing alliance's shots by hitting them during prep and slowing down their approach to firing position.

Our alliance (1241, 610, 3560), played a different style. Because of the high number of Outer Works-capable shooters that were unaffected by a 4'6 blocker, we chose to have 3560 disrupt the secret passage cycles of teams like 3683 DAVE, who relied on the secret passage to funnel balls into the courtyard for 148 to score. This strategy proved to be highly effective, and we continued using it to great success against 1114 and 2056's unparalleled and infinite firing locations and ability.

So to answer your question: Yes, an enormous amount of defense was played at Waterloo, with most of it being extremely effective in slowing down cycle times.

Re: The 2056 Streak has ended!
 

I'm not surprised. That's what happens when you have a few teams that are leaps and bounds ahead of everyone else in one particular region- other teams learn, and get better and better until they're eventually on the level of those elites who once dominated them. It's official now; with 3683 picking up their first regional win ever, and 1241/610 beating 1114/2056, Canada is no longer dominated by the same two teams. I'd like to congratulate 1241, 610 and 3560 on their incredible performance and excellent strategy, and if I don't see some meme about the 2013 world champion alliance, I will be very disappointed.

Re: The 2056 Streak has ended!
 

Fear not friend, you will not be disappointed today.
https://goo.gl/vQ9bCR

Re: The 2056 Streak has ended!
 

Team 2056 has set a standard that will never be matched. Your team is absolutely amazing at what you do and there are many more success in future. Congratulations on this achievement.

Re: The 2056 Streak has ended!
 

The 2056 streak hasn't ended, we just misunderstood the streak!

2056 has won a banner at every regional event they've ever attended and been in the finals at every regional event they've ever attended.
#thestreakisstillalive
#inspiration
#2056waystowin

Re: The 2056 Streak has ended!
 

When 1114 picked 2056, Karthik said something about "getting the band back together". It seems that they weren't the only ones...

Re: The 2056 Streak has ended!
 

Kevin, stop.

Re: The 2056 Streak has ended!
 

Wow, that is a really cool way to think of it!

Re: The 2056 Streak has ended!
 

Great jobs to yall. I think that that was the best match all year hands down so to me the streak is not yet broken and hey the prediction is coming true."2056 will lose their regional then win worlds"

Re: The 2056 Streak has ended!
 

"No, you cannot pick Team 1477."

Re: The 2056 Streak has ended!
 

We're trying to pick up on that in Northern California by reaching out to younger teams and raising their games.

Re: The 2056 Streak has ended!
 

:D Iconic
The Stronghold Waterloo seems to have easily been the most exciting yet, and a well-deserved victory to 610, 1241, and 3560. In addition, congratulations to 2056 on their third RCA...while the longtime Einstein giants may have finally lost a regional, this year's Waterloo really exemplifies the strength and calibre of the Ontario teams on a level never seen before. Still, the end of OP's streak is simply a new chapter in their history. Winning 23 consecutive titles is no small feat, and I think we could see a certain team from Stoney Creek, Ontario on Einstein this year...