The day is done—nine rounds of sealed Vs. System split into two sections and 209 players cut down to 24.

 

It was a long but smooth day, and the Top 24 looks like a list of competitors in contention for a PC Top 8, not a $10K Top 8. Kim Caton leads the way, with two of her teammates, Peter Sundholm and Michael Dalton, also making it to Day 2. Patrick Yapjoco made it in, a fine cherry to top the Ryan Jones and Vidi Wijaya sundae that was a Top 8 qualification in the PC. Canada placed three players; Torontonian John-Michael Erlendson blowing away the competition and placing second overall, along with fellow Torontonian Charlotte Ashley and Quebec City resident, Martin Brochu, also qualifying. Other names of note are PC champion Adam Horvath, PC runner-up Mark Slack, $10K fixture Tim Batow, top-ranked Josh Wiitanen and German national Dirk Hein.

 

And so, the sun sets, and the day comes to a close, and several players go home with hanging heads, while 24 hardened heroes will march proudly onto center stage tomorrow for a day of drafting and fierce fighting, where 8 will move on to scratch and claw to the podium, and the winner’s circle.