/* ==========================================================================
   CREATIVE LAYOUT STYLESHEET: BOLD SPORT EDITORIAL PASS
   ========================================================================== */

/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------
   1. KEYFRAMES & GLOBAL ATMOSPHERE
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference) {
  @keyframes sportStageIn {
    0% {
      opacity: 0;
      transform: translateY(18px) skewY(-1deg);
    }
    100% {
      opacity: 1;
      transform: translateY(0) skewY(0);
    }
  }

  .v8b1-stage-core {
    animation: sportStageIn 0.65s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1) forwards;
  }
}

/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------
   2. HEADER ELEVATION & SPEED ACCENTS
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
.v8b1-menu-rail {
  border-bottom: 2px solid var(--color-border);
  box-shadow: 0 4px 20px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.04);
  position: sticky;
  top: 0;
}

.v8b1-ident-row {
  letter-spacing: 0.04em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  font-weight: 800;
  color: var(--color-text);
  position: relative;
}

.v8b1-ident-row svg {
  filter: drop-shadow(0 2px 6px rgba(var(--color-primary-rgb), 0.4));
  transition: transform 0.2s ease;
}

.v8b1-ident-row:hover svg {
  transform: rotate(-6deg) scale(1.08);
}

.v8b1-route-set a {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 1.05rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  position: relative;
  transition: color 0.15s ease, background-color 0.15s ease;
}

.v8b1-route-set a::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  bottom: 2px;
  left: 50%;
  width: 0;
  height: 2px;
  background: var(--color-primary);
  transition: width 0.2s ease, left 0.2s ease;
}

.v8b1-route-set a:hover::after {
  width: 70%;
  left: 15%;
}

/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------
   3. HERO: DENSE, SATURATED SPORT STAGE
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
.v8b1-title-stage {
  background: linear-gradient(136deg, #840606 0%, #1e0915 52%, #111519 100%);
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
  border-bottom: 4px solid var(--color-primary);
}

.v8b1-title-stage::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: -50% -20% -50% -20%;
  background: repeating-linear-gradient(
    -45deg,
    transparent,
    transparent 28px,
    rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.02) 28px,
    rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.02) 56px
  );
  pointer-events: none;
}

.v8b1-stage-core {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  padding: 96px 24px 84px;
}

.v8b1-stage-core::before {
  width: 90px;
  height: 5px;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--color-primary), var(--color-accent));
  clip-path: polygon(0 0, 100% 0, 88% 100%, 0 100%);
  margin-bottom: 1.8rem;
}

.v8b1-stamp {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 8px;
  background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45);
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2);
  border-left: 3px solid var(--color-primary);
  padding: 5px 12px;
  border-radius: var(--radius-ctl);
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 0.92rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.12em;
  color: #ffffff;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  font-weight: 700;
  box-shadow: 0 4px 14px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3);
}

.v8b1-title-stage h1 {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: clamp(2.4rem, 5.8vw, 4.4rem);
  font-weight: 800;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.01em;
  line-height: 0.98;
  color: #ffffff;
  margin: 0.6rem 0 1.2rem;
  text-shadow: 0 4px 18px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);
}

.v8b1-title-stage p {
  font-size: 1.14rem;
  line-height: 1.6;
  max-width: 680px;
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.88);
  margin-bottom: 2rem;
}

.v8b1-prime-cta {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 1.18rem;
  font-weight: 800;
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  padding: 14px 34px;
  background: var(--color-primary);
  border: 1px solid var(--color-primary);
  border-radius: var(--radius-btn);
  color: #ffffff;
  box-shadow: 0 6px 20px rgba(var(--color-primary-rgb), 0.45);
  clip-path: polygon(0 0, 100% 0, 96% 100%, 0 100%);
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 8px;
}

.v8b1-prime-cta:hover {
  background: #ffffff;
  color: var(--color-primary);
  border-color: #ffffff;
  transform: translateY(-3px) scale(1.02);
  box-shadow: 0 10px 28px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.35);
}

/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------
   4. LONG-FORM ARTICLE TYPOGRAPHY & ARTICLE BODY ACCENTS
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
.v8b1-core-feed {
  padding-top: 2rem;
}

.article-text-body {
  color: var(--color-text);
  font-size: 1.02rem;
  line-height: 1.68;
}

.article-text-body .container {
  max-width: 100%;
  margin: 0;
  padding: 0;
  background: transparent;
}

/* Diagonal Sports Section Headers inside Article */
.article-text-body h2 {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: clamp(1.75rem, 3.2vw, 2.35rem);
  font-weight: 800;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.02em;
  line-height: 1.1;
  color: var(--color-text);
  margin: 2.8rem 0 1rem;
  padding-bottom: 0.65rem;
  border-bottom: 2px solid var(--color-border);
  position: relative;
}

.article-text-body h2::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  bottom: -2px;
  left: 0;
  width: 90px;
  height: 4px;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--color-primary), var(--color-accent));
  clip-path: polygon(0 0, 100% 0, 88% 100%, 0 100%);
}

.article-text-body h3 {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 1.38rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.03em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--color-text);
  margin: 1.5rem 0 0.5rem;
}

.article-text-body h4 {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 1.05rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  margin: 1rem 0 0.4rem;
}

.article-text-body p {
  margin: 0 0 0.95rem;
  color: var(--color-text-muted);
}

.article-text-body strong {
  color: var(--color-text);
  font-weight: 700;
}

.article-text-body a {
  color: var(--color-primary);
  text-decoration: underline;
  text-underline-offset: 3px;
  text-decoration-thickness: 1.5px;
  transition: color 0.15s, opacity 0.15s;
}

.article-text-body a:hover {
  color: var(--color-accent);
  opacity: 1;
}

/* High-Impact Editorial Lead Paragraph */
.article-text-body .intro {
  background: var(--color-bg-card);
  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
  border-left: 5px solid var(--color-primary);
  border-radius: var(--radius-card);
  padding: 1.4rem 1.6rem;
  margin: 1.8rem 0;
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-card);
  position: relative;
}

.article-text-body .intro::before {
  content: "2026 BENCHMARK BRIEF";
  display: block;
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 0.8rem;
  font-weight: 800;
  letter-spacing: 0.12em;
  color: var(--color-primary);
  margin-bottom: 0.4rem;
}

.article-text-body .intro p {
  margin: 0;
  color: var(--color-text);
  font-size: 1.05rem;
  line-height: 1.62;
}

/* Clean Sport Blockquotes */
.article-text-body blockquote {
  margin: 1.6rem 0;
  padding: 1.2rem 1.6rem;
  background: var(--color-bg-card);
  border-left: 4px solid var(--color-primary);
  border-radius: 0 var(--radius-card) var(--radius-card) 0;
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-card);
  font-style: italic;
}

/* In-Article Summary Tables */
.article-text-body table:not(.z9-standings-grid) {
  width: 100%;
  border-collapse: separate;
  border-spacing: 0;
  margin: 1.6rem 0 2rem;
  border-radius: var(--radius-card);
  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
  background: var(--color-bg);
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-card);
  overflow: hidden;
}

.article-text-body table:not(.z9-standings-grid) th {
  background: #111519;
  color: #ffffff;
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 0.98rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.06em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  padding: 12px 14px;
  border: none;
  border-bottom: 2px solid var(--color-primary);
}

html.dark .article-text-body table:not(.z9-standings-grid) th {
  background: #090c0e;
}

.article-text-body table:not(.z9-standings-grid) td {
  padding: 12px 14px;
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--color-border);
  font-size: 0.92rem;
  color: var(--color-text);
}

.article-text-body table:not(.z9-standings-grid) tr:last-child td {
  border-bottom: none;
}

.article-text-body table:not(.z9-standings-grid) tr:nth-child(even) td {
  background: var(--color-bg-card);
}

.article-text-body table:not(.z9-standings-grid) tr:hover td {
  background: rgba(var(--color-primary-rgb), 0.04);
}

/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------
   5. IN-ARTICLE LISTICLE CARDS (.rating-item hierarchy)
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
.rating-item {
  background: var(--color-bg-card);
  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
  border-radius: var(--radius-card);
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-card);
  padding: 24px;
  margin: 1.6rem 0;
  position: relative;
  transition: transform 0.18s ease, box-shadow 0.18s ease;
}

.rating-item:hover {
  transform: translateY(-2px);
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-card-hover);
}

/* Winner Emphasis Item */
.rating-item.featured {
  background: var(--color-bg);
  border: 2px solid var(--color-primary);
  border-left: 6px solid var(--color-primary);
  box-shadow: 0 6px 24px rgba(var(--color-primary-rgb), 0.12), var(--shadow-card);
}

.rating-item.featured::before {
  content: "HIGHEST RATED PROVIDER • 2026 LEADER";
  display: inline-block;
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 0.74rem;
  font-weight: 800;
  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  background: var(--color-primary);
  color: #ffffff;
  padding: 3px 9px;
  border-radius: var(--radius-ctl);
  margin-bottom: 14px;
  clip-path: polygon(0 0, 100% 0, 94% 100%, 0 100%);
}

.rating-header {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 14px;
  margin-bottom: 12px;
}

.rating-number {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 1.85rem;
  font-weight: 800;
  line-height: 1;
  color: #ffffff;
  background: #111519;
  min-width: 42px;
  height: 42px;
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  border-radius: var(--radius-ctl);
  box-shadow: inset 0 0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15);
}

.rating-item.featured .rating-number {
  background: var(--color-primary);
  box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(var(--color-primary-rgb), 0.35);
}

.rating-title {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 1.55rem;
  font-weight: 800;
  letter-spacing: 0.02em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--color-text);
  line-height: 1.15;
}

.rating-subtitle {
  font-size: 0.88rem;
  color: var(--color-text-muted);
  font-weight: 500;
  margin-top: 2px;
}

/* Feature Highlight Capsule Callouts */
.feature-highlight {
  background: rgba(var(--color-primary-rgb), 0.04);
  border: 1px solid rgba(var(--color-primary-rgb), 0.15);
  border-left: 4px solid var(--color-primary);
  border-radius: var(--radius-ctl);
  padding: 14px 18px;
  margin: 14px 0;
}

.feature-highlight strong {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 0.96rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--color-primary);
  display: block;
  margin-bottom: 6px;
}

.feature-highlight ul {
  margin: 0;
  padding-left: 1.2rem;
}

.feature-highlight li {
  margin-bottom: 0.35rem;
  font-size: 0.92rem;
  color: var(--color-text);
}

/* Athletic Pros and Cons Inside Review Cards */
.pros, .cons {
  background: var(--color-bg);
  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
  border-radius: var(--radius-ctl);
  padding: 12px 16px;
  margin: 12px 0;
}

html.dark .pros,
html.dark .cons {
  background: var(--color-bg-card);
}

.pros h4, .cons h4 {
  margin: 0 0 8px;
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 0.92rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

.pros h4 { color: var(--color-success); }
.cons h4 { color: var(--color-danger); }

.pros ul, .cons ul {
  list-style: none;
  padding: 0;
  margin: 0;
}

.pros li, .cons li {
  position: relative;
  padding-left: 1.3rem;
  margin-bottom: 0.4rem;
  font-size: 0.9rem;
  color: var(--color-text);
  line-height: 1.45;
}

.pros li::before {
  content: "✓";
  position: absolute;
  left: 0;
  color: var(--color-success);
  font-weight: 800;
}

.cons li::before {
  content: "✕";
  position: absolute;
  left: 0;
  color: var(--color-danger);
  font-weight: 800;
}

/* In-Card CTA Buttons */
.rating-item .cta {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: 6px;
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 0.96rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.06em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  text-decoration: none !important;
  padding: 9px 20px;
  border-radius: var(--radius-btn);
  background: var(--color-primary);
  color: #ffffff !important;
  box-shadow: 0 3px 12px rgba(var(--color-primary-rgb), 0.3);
  margin-top: 12px;
  transition: transform 0.16s ease, background-color 0.16s ease;
}

.rating-item .cta:hover {
  background: var(--color-primary-dark);
  transform: translateY(-2px);
  box-shadow: 0 6px 18px rgba(var(--color-primary-rgb), 0.4);
}

/* Methodology Callout */
.methodology {
  background: var(--color-bg-card);
  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
  border-left: 5px solid var(--color-accent);
  border-radius: var(--radius-card);
  padding: 22px 24px;
  margin: 2.2rem 0;
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-card);
}

.methodology strong {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 1.15rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.04em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--color-accent);
  display: block;
  margin-bottom: 8px;
}

.methodology ul {
  padding-left: 1.3rem;
  margin: 0.8rem 0;
}

.methodology li {
  margin-bottom: 0.45rem;
  font-size: 0.94rem;
  color: var(--color-text);
}

/* FAQ Accordion-Style Athletic Cards */
.faq-item {
  background: var(--color-bg-card);
  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
  border-left: 4px solid #111519;
  border-radius: var(--radius-ctl);
  padding: 16px 20px;
  margin: 14px 0;
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-card);
  transition: border-left-color 0.2s ease;
}

html.dark .faq-item {
  border-left-color: var(--color-primary);
}

.faq-item:hover {
  border-left-color: var(--color-primary);
}

.faq-item h3 {
  margin: 0 0 8px;
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 1.25rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.02em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--color-text);
}

.faq-item p {
  margin: 0;
  font-size: 0.95rem;
  color: var(--color-text-muted);
}

/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------
   6. CONTACT FORM & AUTHOR BIO REFINEMENT
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
#v8b1-message-desk,
#v8b1-byline-note {
  border-radius: var(--radius-card);
  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
}

/* Skewed accent stripe at top of panels */
#v8b1-message-desk::before,
#v8b1-byline-note::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  right: 0;
  height: 4px;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--color-primary), var(--color-accent));
}

.v8b1-reach-form h2 {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 1.9rem;
  font-weight: 800;
  letter-spacing: 0.03em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

#v8b1-message-panel label {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 0.9rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  font-weight: 700;
}

#v8b1-message-panel input,
#v8b1-message-panel textarea {
  border-radius: var(--radius-ctl);
  background: var(--color-input-bg);
  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
  font-size: 0.95rem;
}

#v8b1-message-panel input:focus,
#v8b1-message-panel textarea:focus {
  border-color: var(--color-primary);
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(var(--color-primary-rgb), 0.15);
}

#v8b1-message-panel button[type="submit"] {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 1.05rem;
  font-weight: 800;
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  padding: 12px 32px;
  clip-path: polygon(0 0, 100% 0, 94% 100%, 0 100%);
  border-radius: var(--radius-btn);
  background: var(--color-primary);
  color: #ffffff;
  box-shadow: 0 4px 14px rgba(var(--color-primary-rgb), 0.35);
  cursor: pointer;
  border: none;
}

#v8b1-message-panel button[type="submit"]:hover {
  background: var(--color-primary-dark);
  transform: translateY(-2px);
  box-shadow: 0 6px 20px rgba(var(--color-primary-rgb), 0.45);
}

/* Author Bio */
.v8b1-bio-panel img {
  border: 3px solid var(--color-primary);
  box-shadow: 0 4px 14px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15);
}

.v8b1-bio-panel h3 {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 1.5rem;
  font-weight: 800;
  letter-spacing: 0.02em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

.v8b1-bio-panel .role-line {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 0.88rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
  color: var(--color-primary);
}

/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------
   7. FOOTER FINISH & RESPONSIVE TWEAKS
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
.v8b1-site-end {
  background: var(--footer-bg);
  border-top: 4px solid var(--color-primary);
  position: relative;
}

.v8b1-site-end .v8b1-ident-row {
  font-size: 1.15rem;
}

.v8b1-site-end nav a {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 0.95rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.06em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  transition: color 0.15s ease, opacity 0.15s ease;
}

.v8b1-site

/* === CSS CONTENT === */

/* ==========================================================================
   UNIFIED ART DIRECTION: BOLD SPORT
   Comparison Table (#v8b1-rank-table) & Listing Cards (#v8b1-best-choices)
   ========================================================================== */

/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------
   1. SHARED SECTION HEADERS & ATHLETIC MOTIFS
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
#v8b1-rank-table,
#v8b1-best-choices {
  margin: 3.5rem 0;
  position: relative;
  font-family: var(--font-sans);
  color: var(--color-text);
}

.z9-table-header-strip,
.kx-spotlight-head {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 6px;
  margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
  padding-bottom: 1rem;
  border-bottom: 2px solid var(--color-border);
  position: relative;
}

.z9-table-header-strip::after,
.kx-spotlight-head::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  bottom: -2px;
  left: 0;
  width: 130px;
  height: 4px;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--color-primary) 0%, var(--color-accent) 100%);
  clip-path: polygon(0 0, 100% 0, 88% 100%, 0 100%);
}

.z9-table-headline,
.kx-spotlight-title {
  margin: 0;
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: clamp(1.75rem, 3.2vw, 2.35rem);
  font-weight: 800;
  line-height: 1.1;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.02em;
  color: var(--color-text);
}

.z9-table-sub,
.kx-spotlight-dek {
  margin: 0;
  font-size: 0.88rem;
  color: var(--color-text-muted);
  font-weight: 500;
  line-height: 1.45;
}

.kx-headline-tag {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 0.82rem;
  font-weight: 800;
  letter-spacing: 0.12em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--color-primary);
  display: block;
}

/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------
   2. COMPARISON TABLE COMPONENT (#v8b1-rank-table)
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
#v8b1-rank-table {
  width: 100%;
  overflow-x: visible;
}

.z9-standings-grid {
  width: 100%;
  border-collapse: separate;
  border-spacing: 0 8px;
  margin: 0;
}

.z9-standings-grid thead th {
  background: transparent;
  color: var(--color-text-muted);
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 0.88rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.09em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  padding: 8px 14px;
  text-align: left;
  border: none;
  white-space: nowrap;
}

.z9-standings-grid thead th.z9-head-center {
  text-align: center;
}

.z9-standings-grid thead th.z9-head-right {
  text-align: right;
}

/* Row Shell */
.z9-rank-item {
  background: var(--color-bg-card);
  transition: transform 0.18s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1), box-shadow 0.18s ease;
}

.z9-rank-item td {
  padding: 14px 16px;
  vertical-align: middle;
  background: var(--color-bg-card);
  border-top: 1px solid var(--color-border);
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--color-border);
  font-size: 0.92rem;
  line-height: 1.4;
  color: var(--color-text);
  transition: background-color 0.18s ease;
}

.z9-rank-item td:first-child {
  border-left: 1px solid var(--color-border);
  border-top-left-radius: var(--radius-card);
  border-bottom-left-radius: var(--radius-card);
}

.z9-rank-item td:last-child {
  border-right: 1px solid var(--color-border);
  border-top-right-radius: var(--radius-card);
  border-bottom-right-radius: var(--radius-card);
}

.z9-rank-item:hover {
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-card-hover);
  transform: translateY(-1px);
}

.z9-rank-item:hover td {
  background: var(--color-bg);
}

/* Winner Row (Rank #1 Pangea Global) */
.z9-rank-item.z9-lead-pinnacle td {
  background: var(--color-bg);
  border-top: 2px solid var(--color-primary);
  border-bottom: 2px solid var(--color-primary);
}

.z9-rank-item.z9-lead-pinnacle td:first-child {
  border-left: 4px solid var(--color-primary);
}

.z9-rank-item.z9-lead-pinnacle td:last-child {
  border-right: 2px solid var(--color-primary);
}

/* Athletic Rank Numerals (Stopwatch / Jersey Style) */
.z9-rank-numeral,
.kx-rank-marker {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-weight: 800;
  line-height: 1;
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  border-radius: var(--radius-ctl);
  background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05);
  color: var(--color-text-muted);
  letter-spacing: -0.02em;
}

html.dark .z9-rank-numeral,
html.dark .kx-rank-marker {
  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06);
}

.z9-rank-numeral {
  width: 38px;
  height: 38px;
  font-size: 1.5rem;
}

.z9-lead-pinnacle .z9-rank-numeral,
.kx-pinnacle-winner .kx-rank-marker {
  background: var(--color-primary);
  color: #ffffff;
  box-shadow: 0 3px 10px rgba(var(--color-primary-rgb), 0.38);
}

/* Provider Identity & Winner Badge */
.z9-provider-info {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 2px;
}

.z9-apex-badge {
  align-self: flex-start;
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 4px;
  padding: 3px 8px;
  background: var(--color-primary);
  color: #ffffff;
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 0.72rem;
  font-weight: 800;
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  border-radius: var(--radius-ctl);
  clip-path: polygon(0 0, 100% 0, 93% 100%, 0 100%);
  margin-bottom: 3px;
}

.z9-provider-title {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 1.3rem;
  font-weight: 800;
  letter-spacing: 0.01em;
  color: var(--color-text);
  line-height: 1.15;
}

.z9-lead-pinnacle .z9-provider-title {
  font-size: 1.45rem;
}

.z9-provider-sub {
  font-size: 0.78rem;
  color: var(--color-text-muted);
  font-weight: 500;
}

/* Scoreboard Rating Blocks */
.z9-score-card,
.kx-scoreboard-box {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  background: #0c1014;
  color: #ffffff;
  border-radius: var(--radius-ctl);
  box-shadow: inset 0 0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.12);
}

.z9-score-card {
  flex-direction: column;
  padding: 6px 12px;
  min-width: 64px;
}

.z9-score-val,
.kx-digit-readout {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-weight: 800;
  line-height: 1;
  letter-spacing: -0.03em;
  color: #ffffff;
}

.z9-score-val {
  font-size: 1.45rem;
}

.z9-lead-pinnacle .z9-score-card,
.kx-pinnacle-winner .kx-scoreboard-box {
  background: #050709;
  box-shadow: inset 0 0 0 1px rgba(var(--color-primary-rgb), 0.4), 0 2px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25);
}

.z9-lead-pinnacle .z9-score-val,
.kx-pinnacle-winner .kx-digit-readout {
  color: var(--color-primary);
}

.z9-score-max {
  font-size: 0.62rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.65);
  margin-top: 2px;
}

/* Spec Chips & Feature Badges */
.z9-feature-list {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 5px;
  max-width: 290px;
}

.z9-spec-chip,
.kx-capsule {
  display: inline-block;
  font-size: 0.75rem;
  font-weight: 600;
  padding: 3px 8px;
  border-radius: var(--radius-ctl);
  background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.04);
  color: var(--color-text);
  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
  line-height: 1.35;
  white-space: nowrap;
}

html.dark .z9-spec-chip,
html.dark .kx-capsule {
  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.04);
}

.z9-lead-pinnacle .z9-spec-chip.z9-key,
.kx-pinnacle-winner .kx-capsule.kx-capsule-highlight {
  border-color: rgba(var(--color-primary-rgb), 0.35);
  background: rgba(var(--color-primary-rgb), 0.08);
  color: var(--color-primary);
  font-weight: 700;
}

/* Pricing Display */
.z9-price-cell {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 1.05rem;
  font-weight: 800;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.03em;
  color: var(--color-text);
  white-space: nowrap;
}

.z9-price-note {
  display: block;
  font-size: 0.72rem;
  font-family: var(--font-sans);
  color: var(--color-text-muted);
  font-weight: 400;
  text-transform: none;
  margin-top: 1px;
}

/* Buttons & CTA Hierarchy */
.z9-cta-btn,
.kx-cta-link {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: 6px;
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-weight: 800;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.06em;
  border-radius: var(--radius-btn);
  text-decoration: none !important;
  cursor: pointer;
  white-space: nowrap;
  transition: transform 0.16s ease, box-shadow 0.16s ease, background-color 0.16s ease, border-color 0.16s ease;
}

.z9-cta-btn {
  padding: 8px 16px;
  font-size: 0.94rem;
}

/* Tier 1: Winner CTA */
.z9-btn-tier-1,
.kx-cta-primary {
  background: var(--color-primary);
  color: #ffffff !important;
  border: 1px solid var(--color-primary);
  box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(var(--color-primary-rgb), 0.32);
}

.z9-btn-tier-1:hover,
.kx-cta-primary:hover {
  background: var(--color-primary-dark);
  border-color: var(--color-primary-dark);
  transform: translateY(-2px);
  box-shadow: 0 6px 18px rgba(var(--color-primary-rgb), 0.45);
}

/* Tier 2: Contenders (Outlined) */
.z9-btn-tier-2,
.kx-cta-secondary {
  background: transparent;
  color: var(--color-text) !important;
  border: 1px solid var(--color-text);
}

.z9-btn-tier-2:hover,
.kx-cta-secondary:hover {
  background: var(--color-text);
  color: var(--color-bg) !important;
  transform: translateY(-1px);
}

/* Tier 3: Field Contenders */
.z9-btn-tier-3 {
  background: transparent;
  color: var(--color-text-muted) !important;
  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
  font-size: 0.86rem;
  padding: 6px 12px;
}

.z9-btn-tier-3:hover {
  border-color: var(--color-text);
  color: var(--color-text) !important;
}

/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------
   3. LISTING CARDS COMPONENT (#v8b1-best-choices)
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
.kx-cards-stack {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 24px;
}

.kx-review-unit {
  background: var(--color-bg-card);
  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
  border-radius: var(--radius-card);
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-card);
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
  transition: transform 0.2s ease, box-shadow 0.2s ease, border-color 0.2s ease;
}

.kx-review-unit:hover {
  transform: translateY(-2px);
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-card-hover);
}

/* Winner Card Styling (Pangea) */
.kx-review-unit.kx-pinnacle-winner {
  background: var(--color-bg);
  border: 2px solid var(--color-primary);
  box-shadow: 0 4px 20px rgba(var(--color-primary-rgb), 0.12), var(--shadow-card);
}

/* Athletic Winner Ribbon Stamp */
.kx-winner-ribbon {
  position: absolute;
  top: 0;
  right: 0;
  background: var(--color-primary);
  color: #ffffff;
  padding: 6px 20px 6px 24px;
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 0.78rem;
  font-weight: 800;
  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  clip-path: polygon(14px 0, 100% 0, 100% 100%, 0 100%);
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 6px;
  z-index: 2;
}

.kx-winner-ribbon::before {
  content: "";
  display: inline-block;
  width: 5px;
  height: 5px;
  background: #ffffff;
  border-radius: 50%;
}

.kx-unit-inner {
  padding: 24px 26px;
}

.kx-unit-header {
  display: flex;
  align-items: flex-start;
  justify-content: space-between;
  gap: 16px;
  margin-bottom: 14px;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
}

.kx-id-box {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 14px;
}

.kx-rank-marker {
  width: 46px;
  height: 46px;
  font-size: 1.75rem;
  flex-shrink: 0;
}

.kx-badge-eyebrow {
  display: inline-block;
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 0.74rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  color: var(--color-primary);
  margin-bottom: 2px;
}

.kx-provider-name {
  margin: 0;
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: clamp(1.5rem, 2.4vw, 1.95rem);
  font-weight: 800;
  line-height: 1.15;
  color: var(--color-text);
  letter-spacing: 0.01em;
}

/* Card Scoreboard Readout */
.kx-scoreboard-box {
  padding: 8px 14px;
  gap: 10px;
  align-self: flex-start;
}

.kx-digit-readout {
  font-size: 2.1rem;
}

.kx-digit-caption {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
}

.kx-digit-scale {
  font-size: 0.65rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.06em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.65);
}

.kx-digit-word {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 0.8rem;
  font-weight: 800;
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #ffffff;
}

/* Card Text Spacing & Flow */
.kx-description-text {
  font-size: 0.96rem;
  line-height: 1.58;
  color: var(--color-text-muted);
  margin: 0 0 16px;
}

.kx-description-text strong {
  color: var(--color-text);
  font-weight: 700;
}

.kx-capsule-row {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 6px;
  margin-bottom: 18px;
}

/* Pros and Cons Split Grid */
.kx-factors-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
  gap: 14px;
  margin-bottom: 20px;
}

.kx-factors-block {
  background: var(--color-bg);
  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
  border-radius: var(--radius-ctl);
  padding: 12px 14px;
}

html.dark .kx-factors-block {
  background: var(--color-bg-card);
}

.kx-factors-title {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 0.84rem;
  font-weight: 800;
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  margin: 0 0 8px;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 5px;
}

.kx-pros-title { color: var(--color-success); }
.kx-cons-title { color: var(--color-danger); }

.kx-factors-list {
  list-style: none !important;
  padding: 0 !important;
  margin: 0 !important;
}

.kx-factors-list li {
  position: relative !important;
  padding-left: 1.25rem !important;
  margin-bottom: 6px !important;
  font-size: 0.86rem !important;
  line-height: 1.4 !important;
  color: var(--color-text) !important;
}

.kx-factors-list li:last-child {
  margin-bottom: 0 !important;
}

.kx-pros-list li::before {
  content: "✓" !important;
  position: absolute !important;
  left: 0 !important;
  color: var(--color-success) !important;
  font-weight: 800 !important;
}

.kx-cons-list li::before {
  content: "✕" !important;
  position: absolute !important;
  left: 0 !important;
  color: var(--color-danger) !important;
  font-weight: 800 !important;
}

/* Card Action Bar */
.kx-action-bar {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  gap: 16px;
  padding-top: 14px;
  border-top: 1px solid var(--color-border);
  flex-wrap: wrap;
}

.kx-metric-note {
  font-size: 0.82rem;
  color: var(--color-text-muted);
}

.kx-metric-note strong {
  color: var(--color-text);
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 0.94rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.02em;
}

.kx-cta-link {
  font-size: 1rem;
  padding: 10px 22px;
}

/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------
   4. STRICT RESPONSIVE OVERRIDES (< 768px)
   NO HORIZONTAL SCROLL: REFOLD TABLE ROWS INTO ATHLETIC DATA CARDS
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
@media (max-width: 767px) {
  #v8b1-rank-table {
    overflow-x: visible !important;
    display: block !important;
    width: 100% !important;
  }

  .z9-standings-grid,
  .z9-standings-grid thead,
  .z9-standings-grid tbody,
  .z9-standings-grid tr,
  .z9-standings-grid td {
    display: block !important;
    width: 100% !important;
    max-width: 100% !important;
    box-sizing: border-box !important;
  }

  .z9-standings-grid thead {
}}