[simion314]

Was there a competition? I assume US will use their own tech if possible even if is more risky to avoid the dependency on Russia.

[virtue3]

That would be false, otherwise we would not have retired the shuttle.

[NikolaeVarius]

There is always implied competition when it comes to space since its something that only the "richest" countries can do, especially crewed spaceflight

[simion314]

I do not see what competition or race US won, I mean US just catch up in a way, they managed to wash the humiliation of depending on Russia but I could not see how catching up is a win.

[NikolaeVarius]

The race to build a modern crewed vehicle to the ISS. Compare to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orel_(spacecraft)