239Number of teams and Athletes in the second round At the discretion of the OC, the best six (minimum) to eight (maximum) teams after the first round take part in the second round with four Athletes per team, except otherwise provided in paragraphs 4.2 and 5.2 above. If there are fewer than six teams participating in the first round, all teams, if not eliminated in the first round, may take part in the second round with four Athletes per team. Those teams equal on Penalties for sixth, seventh or eighth place (depending on the number of teams to take part in the second round) will be separated by the total times of the three best Athletes of each team in the first round. The OC must decide during the draw for the Nations Cup whether the home team will return for the second round as an extra team, if it is not qualified among the six to eight teams eligible to take part. The home team will only be permitted to return for the second round, if there is a difference of not more than eight Penalties between the home team and the last qualified team for the second round. 15436