1.   Analysts at the time predicted competitors would follow suit, but that has not happened.

2.   Analysts say they doubt that Astra will feel the impact of its new competitors any time soon.

3.   Two non-competing aides for each team are allowed to meet with the competitors several times during the race.

4.   The competitors this time have been chosen based on the Sony Rankings of leading golfers worldwide as of the last week of December.

5.   Unlike in the days of the Cold War, Russia and the United States are not expected to be the only competitors this time.