Hey everyone. I've been training a chocobo in the Calm Lands and am stumped on the racing part to get 0.0 seconds on the time. Does anyone have any tips on how to do this and obtain the Sun Sigil. I'm familiar with the L and R trick. Any help will be much appreciated. :D

Honestly, for me it was mostly just a matter of luck, though I could usually accomplish it after an hour or two. Basically, you just have to have very good reflexes, and pay close attention to the general feel of the course. One thing I found helpful was try switching tactics-- for example, if you've been navigating it using the analog stick, try using the D-Pad instead-- it might help you to get a finer degree of control. And sometimes it is just a matter of luck-- as the game says-- sometimes the trainer is hot and sometimes she's not. There are five balloons in a path at the very beginning of the course before it even starts hitting you with the birds-- do your best to try to score as many of those as possible.

That's really all the advice I can give.

The arrangement of the balloons changes, too. Sometimes you can get six or seven in a row on the straight path in the beginning before the birds come, and that will be what you're hoping for. If my memory serves correctly, you need about 14 or 15 balloons if no birds hit you. If you see that getting a balloon will require a bird hit, DON'T go for the balloon. The balloon knocks off 2 seconds, but a bird adds about 3 seconds, so it's not worth it. Obviously, try not to get hit by any birds. Like Agent said, there is a certain amount of luck involved, but keep trying and you'll eventually get it. Look for a guide on gamefaqs.com if you want extremely accurate information; in that case, look for a Celestial Weapons guide or Chocobo Training guide. Alternatively, there are numerous threads about it here on ffshrine, so take your pick.

Just adding onto that a bit-- Olde makes a good point about it not being worth it going for the balloon if you're definitely going to get hit by a bird. Not only will it cost you more time than the balloon will gain you, but you also have to deal with the slowdown of being stunned by the bird, plus that gives the Trainer time to possibly get ahead of you.

Oh man, the nightmares of birds are returning.....
It's down to luck in my view, you get a good bunch of ballons at the start, you're in with a chance.

FUCKING FUCKING BIRDS!

Thanks a lot! The one thing I did forget to ask was about the very beginning. Is there any special way to get ahead of the chocobo trainer from the start? He ALWAYS cuts me off!

The chocobo trainer is female. (Sorry, I know it's apropos of nothing, but I just had to say it.) Anyways, she shouldn't be able to cut you off at the start all the time. That's to some degree a matter of luck too, but if you do it right, you should sometimes be able to get at least three of those opening balloons, if not more. I can't think if any specific trick as to how I did it, though-- just work at it.

If the first baloon is on the side of the trainer, don't go for it, because the trainer will get it before you and will get the upper hand. Aim straight for the first one on your side, because there is no way you can get in front of the trainer.