posted Mar 28th, 2008 - The staff ay Bodyflight Bedford is fine-tuning the event site of the World Challenge 2008, while the teams are getting ready for the start of the competition tomorrow morning.

Some of the teams have been in Bedford already for days and have collected hours of tunnel time, while others are using the last day to get familiar with the windtunnel and the facilities. A few teams will only use the official 3-minute training session tomorrow morning to warm up.

The NSL News was on a sightseeing trip around Bodyflight Bedford already during last year's World Challenge 2007. Owner Paul Mayer had told the NSL News by then of great plans he had for the near future. In fact, his whole business plan has been based on continuing with improvements of the facilities.

It was now time for a new sightseeing tour, and Paul Meyer took the time to take the NSL News to areas of the building that were not available or in use last year. The NSL-TV camera was turned on, as well, and the tunnel owner had the opportunity to present the new facilities in person. The video of the tour can ve viewed by clicking here.

It was impressive to see what has happened in the meantime. The huge building that accommodates Bodyflight Bedford has the potential for many structures and projects that other windtunnels simply cannot offer. Paul Mayer is fully aware of his advantage and uses it to the fullest.

He was talking of a spa area and a gym last year, and he had planned to use a second hangar to offer more space to accommodate teams and their preparations and debriefings. He has surely followed up on it, as the NSL-TV video of the Bodyflight Bedford Tour 2008 shows.

The hangar that was used as a viewing area for the competition, as well as for the award ceremony and the party last year, now offers debriefing space and electronic equipment for tunnel flyers. Use of the space and the equipment are free of charge. The new hangar space now serves as a hangout area and for parties and entertainment.

Paul Mayer has also added the promised workout area, which is spacy and in great shape. The gym is ready to be used just in time for the World Challenge 2008. Locker and changing rooms make it easy and convenient to use the gym.

The best part of the facilities is not ready yet. However, the NSL-TV camera shows that completion of the spa is not far away. Bodyflight Bedford's waterworld offers everything that a tunnel flyer can only dream off after an exhausting training session.

The swimming pool will have swim jets that create a current for tunnel flyers who have not had enough workout in the air of the flying chamber. Hot-water jacuzzis next to the swimming lanes will provide the relaxation that most tunnel flyers are looking for after a training day.

Last not least, believe it or, Paul Mayer has created his own favorite spot in the spa. It is a team area on the far end where the exhausted flyers can relax on comfortable chairs in the warm water and debrief their flying session on a digital screen. Yes, there is a remote control available in the water that controls the screen. Paul Mayer did not say whether adult beverages will be available at the same time and the same spot...

The Bodyflight Bedford facilities are already very impressive the way they are at the moment. The coming improvements will make it a place that compares to a first-class resort for vacation. Yes, and there is the windtunnel training at the same time...

Paul Mayer accommodates 40 teams this year, but he is ready to go even higher as of the number of teams. The date for the World Challenge 2009 is already set: April 4 - 5. He says that his facilities will allow more teams to sign up next year. He still wants to improve the quality of the event at the same time. And he has not promised too much so far...

The NSL News goes back to normal operation after this year's sightseeing tour. There are teams arriving and practice sessions in the flying chamber. Many of the teams and competitors that the NSL News has covered throughout the 2007 season are live on site and offer the opportunity to collect more information and stories. Stay tuned.