Chocobo sprint ability? or... Chocobo Racing?

[DoctorMog]

It is entirely possible that this is a race between the two people on chocoback and the effect happening in front of the rider on the left is a checkpoint.

Maybe it sits there stationary and players must run through it?

(Think old school arcade racing games)

But what can explain the running cactuar?

Maybe he is racing too?

Just a thought. It might not be the sprint ability.

Edit:
Found the video that shows the current sprint animation:
http://youtu.be/-3joG4TVBKU?t=2m54s
It looks nothing like the above image.

If indeed this is the chocobo sprint ability, why use a new animation?

Food for thought.

[RhythmMagi]

It doesn't look like sprinting to me. Maybe the Cactuar is an npc racer? That would be awesome. Have the chocobo's be the players and the cactuar the npcs.

[Ozak]

Chocobo racing would be so much fun.

[DoctorMog]

Chocobo racing would be so much fun.

Especially if raised chocobos can have different stats

Speed
Stamina
etc.

[Undrentide]

i think its supposed to be some sort of lens flare effect thats just a bit too neat at this time.

[DoctorMog]

It's no lens flare, there are 3 distinct orbs around the circle:







(I blew the image up so you can see them better... right click, view image)

[Undrentide]

oh yeah i see now....hmm strange indeed could be a myriad of things....could be the end marker for a behest type mission, or indeed some form of Chocobo racing...NNot sure about the Cactuar, isnt he supposed to be roaming round Thanalan!

[Shougun]

Especially if raised chocobos can have different stats

Speed
Stamina
etc.

Yay chocobo stats~

Looks like a buff to me, maybe a speed buff - I could believe that. If you dont give mounts sprint then they will be less of a shock and awe when you acquire them (since you'd be used to going almost as fast as them anyways). . . So sounds like a good idea.

I know not everyone is into platforming but chocobos are famous for getting into special places, a sprint run flap the wings for glide ... :O.. Probably just a pipe dream but w.e lol

[Radacci]

didn't they say that buff animations would change? cause people were complaining on it; how it was intrusive or something.
so imo it's normal sprint skill, that you can use while on chocobo.

[Niqote]

Especially if raised chocobos can have different stats

Speed
Stamina
etc.

Esp. if the breeding cards actually have statistics written on them this time around