The victory was defined by a strategic shift in production. For the first time, 42 Fast Buds handled the cultivation and preparation of all competition entries entirely in-house. This decision to have the breeding team manage the final presentation resulted in six awards, including a first-place finish for Mendo Frost Auto in the Indica category. The strain, derived from previous champions Frostbanger Auto and Mendo Frost, highlights the company's focus on high-potency resin production.

Additional success came from the Champions Collection, with Mango Frost Auto taking second place in the Sativa category and Mango Cherry Runtz Auto securing third. The event also served as a launchpad for GMO Auto, which earned third place in the Best New Autoflower category on its market debut. Meanwhile, the legacy strain Gorilla Z Auto maintained its reputation by capturing second place in the Indica category, proving the durability of the brand’s established genetics. This performance follows a series of recent industry honors for the company, including multiple Breeder of the Year titles across international competitions in 2026.