My vote is San Diego–out of the 3 final rounds:
2 of them had a 4-point or less score difference.
One of the matches was won 108-106.
The last round went down to the last few seconds.
GTR 2008
1114, 2056, edit: 703 vs 2386, 1305, 2166
yes, thats rite, I can see the future =P
But in all seriousness, I enjoyed VCU today. Although there wasn’t much herdling, the finals were really tight. I’m glad 1086 won.
Got any video? If so, I can think of a few people who want to see it. The Gameday chat was wishing there had been a webcast…
EricH, I think 980 was recording SD. At least, that’s what the list in the “Archiving Recorded Regionals 2008” thread in the Scouting forum.
Midwest and Portland were pretty exciting, but if the scores are any indication, SD tops them. Can’t wait for the video!
I question your choice of 1547, Where’s Waldo, hailing from Trafalgar Castle School in Whitby, ON (Our hometown, also). After watching them at New Jersey in Wk 1, I was less than impressed… though I agree with 1114. 2056 I will take as definitely viable, after their impressive showing last year winning 2 regionals and IRI, all with 1114 (after all, they were mentored by 1114), though we haven’t yet seen their offering(unless I missed it on CD). 2386 was definitely a respectable rookie showing at Midwest, and I haven’t seen this year’s showing from 1305, although again, I’m sure it will be at the very least respectable, and again 1114 mentoring. As for 2166, I don’t really recall their robot last year, and I can’t say I’ve seen anything this year.
My choices would be GTR 1114-2056-1075? (yeah, i know, voting for myself) v. 2386-1305-188? ? = maybe.
Equally as impartial as you 
but, I saw all regional web casts last week; and I called a buddy in phoenix/FLR/VCU. We all agreed, San Diego finals was more exciting.
Don’t believe me? Watch all three matches, they were all close and were decided by last minute plays. Unfortunately 330/294 got entangled for a good 30 seconds.
Finger Lakes final had the X-cats manipulator break and need a replacement robot brought in, then the second match was nearly the last match but a penalty let the Blue Alliance win, then in the final match there was an 8 point difference in favor of the Blue Alliance but they announced that there was a penalty… For like five minutes the whole stadium was tense until they announced that it went against the Blue Alliance and so team 20, 191, 174, and 2053 were the winners. Very exciting to watch.
Muahahahahhaaaaaaa…
Isn’t 378 going to GTR this year? Look out for the Circuit Stompers.
And the very underrated and under-appreciated Warlocks. 1507 was the number one seed in a very tough FLR.
I vote San Diego as well- both teams had some really nice bots…
(Beach bots vs. RAWC…two amazing robots)
It was very similar to LA in 2006, Beachbots on the #1 seed with an undefeated team, and RAWC as #2 seed facing only one loss, and then the #2 seed upsets the #1 seed.
And then also SD last year, the 1717 and 294 were finalists to 330. This year, it was opposite.
But the alliances of 987 and 968 were quite epic to say the least.
The one thing I notice about this game is that it’s pretty bland during qualifications but is electric to watch in the elims. Especially from the semis on. It’s probably going to be amazing to watch Einstein this year.
And just imagine how IRI is going to be!
As Powercoach(not to be confused with robocoach) for 294, I might be a bit biased, but that was one of the most exciting elims i’ve ever seen. Our drivers played amazing defense in the final match, blocking a 987 ball place, and thus securing the win. To be honest, I didnt see 1717 or 968 hurdling, because my eyes were glued to our bot, but from what i’ve heard they were pretty good too ;D.
Hopefully videos will surface and I can watch the matches from a better angle.
I think we’re forgetting that it was 987’s alliance, not 330’s.
It was my opinion that 987 was by far the best robot at the event after the qualification matches.
I don’t mean to take anything away from 330, who also had an awesome bot, but 987 deserves a whole lot of credit for going undefeated. They had to play some tough teams to get there.
987 has established themselves as being one of the top teams on the west coast (and nationally, last year) year in, year out. They are a great bunch of people, and a pleasure to compete with.
as a rookie this year i was definately impressed by 987 and didn’t know they were world champions last year. Through they were an amazing team, i think most of the teams at san diego seemed to side with 1717 and RAWC. either way, it was very exciting!
That’s probably because 294 and 1717 were in finals last year, and 968 was well known there as well. the other alliance only had only one high profile team most SD teams know of (330); although, they really should’ve known of 987… Both are amazing teams. I’m guessing it was just 3 familiar teams (maybe 2 1/2, 294 was in finals last year, but not very noticeable) vs 1.
The SD finals had not one, not two, but three former/defending world champions. 294 (2001) faced off against 987 (2007) and 330 (2005, and the only one to have been on Einstein twice). Also, 968 was a world finalist in 2006. I hear the matches were intense, to say the least. Haven’t seen them yet, though.
so far, from what i’ve seen (MW, NJ, VCU, AZ, and KC) i have to say Midwest was the best, not that it was exciting just to watch 111 v 1114. not because 1114 and 1024 could put up HUGE numbers in hybrid, not because of their strategy, but because it was FATHER v SON. i totally loved the storyline, i believe in what Karthik said last year at waterloo, no matter who’s playing, every match as a story, and to reveal this story about two mentors on 111 fathering two mentors on 2041 was a amazingly good storyline to follow for the finals
the storyline for each match can be something amazing almost as exciting as the matches themselves. i look forward to see if 1305 can get past their (what is it now 8 elimination rounds) streak of falling to the heals of 1114. Waterloo and GTR will be VERY entertaining.
As a member of Team 1717, I know that our alliance really appreciated all of the support we received from other teams. It was a great joy to be able to be a part of such an energized and vivacious crowd, all cheering us on. Thanks again to all of the teams that came down and celebrated with us.
Best of luck to all teams for the rest of the season. We look forward to seeing you in Los Angeles and Atlanta!
You have no idea how good it feels to be on the other side of that win too. The 2007 San Diego finals was epic as well–going down to the last second in the final match and 330 took away a great win, but the opposite just happened this year.
I can’t wait until Los Angeles to see what it has in store.
I guess this just goes to show how competitive the west coast is.