It was a busy weekend on the West Coast as 10 corps from California competed in all divisions at two lively shows. These competitions in Pleasant Hill and Stockton, Calif., showed that the race for this year's World Championships has the potential to be close between the two West Coast champions, who both took home a gold medal over the weekend. To kickoff the drum corps festivities in California, the Blue Devils (75.900) won Saturday night's competition, beating the Santa Clara Vanguard (75.400) by half a point. Sunday's competition, however, had a different ending as the Vanguard (76.050) turned the tables and took home the gold medal, surpassing the Blue Devils (75.500) by more than half a point. "We're real happy and excited about where our show is at and the level the members are performing our show at," said Jeff Pearson, Santa Clara Vanguard's corps director. "To be close on Saturday night, and to win the show (Sunday) night, is a great start to the season." Santa Clara Vanguard has not topped Blue Devils in competition since June 26, 2004 in Seattle, Wash., when they scored 80.150 to Blue Devils' 79.800. This early season victory by the Vanguard has many people excited for the close race that will surely ensue on the road to Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif.