Qualifying

  "Twenty minutes or so to go before the qualifying runs start, Bob, let's start thinking about some predictions. The wind's settled a bit while we've been on air, would you say that favours the bigger dragons?"

  "If it stays down. Lucia's looked pretty strong in practice anyway, and Lyonne Ertku, too. For me the question is whether Gerald Ipemas' form is genuine."

  "Yes, he's been sporadic in practice but sometimes extremely fast, which I suppose summarises his year so far. I think Temisia will be wanting him to prove himself a bit, and this could be a good opportunity for him. As for the silver dragons, well, we've hardly mentioned Feran Andoal so far this weekend, and Arden Markwe's shaded him more than once. Is it Arden's turn to benefit from Royal Hermeia's turnaround?"

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  "That will depend on the weather tomorrow, but it could be, he's won races before, and I think he's hungry to do so again."

  "And what about our other championship contenders, Nikita Coro and Phoebe Tenryuu? They could both do with making a strong impression this weekend on their recovery."

  "They could, but I doubt they will. They both look off the pace, and even if Phoebe does well today she's going to start ten places back from where she qualifies. I'd rather see them both take it easy and make sure their dragons are really ready to return to comfortable flying. With Feran off the pace they can afford it."

  "That's not an attitude that comes easily to most riders, though, is it?"

  "Not at all, Sam."

  Wednesday: Brynna - supplement (837 words)

  Thursday: Petunia - supplement (358 words)

  Friday: Qualifying (1670 words)

  Saturday: Phoebe - major update (413 words)

  Sunday: Race (3368 words)

  Twelfth race: Buildup starts 16th September, race day 22nd September

  Thirteenth race: Buildup starts 23rd September, race day 6th October

  Fourteenth race: Buildup starts 7th October, race day 13th October

  Fifteenth race: Buildup starts 14th October, race day 20th October

  Sixteenth race: Buildup starts 23rd October, race day 27th October

  Seventeenth race: Buildup starts 30th October, race day 10th November

  Final race: Buildup starts 11th November, race day tbd (likely 1st week in December)