It's a mix - the knitters are supportive. It's interesting with people from around the world (in my group only North American and European), but on the other hand you are working against each other. 550 Posts were written since the team was formed on March 16. There is a group, too, for the German-speaking participants with over 5000 posts since the Start of this SockMadness on February 29.
btw: 16 of 38 places filled for the next round
I press my toes for you <3 I hope you get one of the open slots. Im too curious of the next assignments.