posted May 19th, 2008 - Earlier NSL News articles mentioned an upswing in 4-way participation this year so far. Last weekend's numbers confirm this upswing once again. Florida Skydiving League teams in Sebastian moved the attendance number at a May meet up from three (2006) and four (2007) to eight last weekend.

The situation was the same in the United Kingdom. Seven teams competed at the May meet in 2007, seventeen at the June meet last year. Last weekend's event in Langar had a total number 22 teams competing in the four competition classes. Chris Hollis, Formation Skydiving representative for the British Parachute Association (BPA), provided a meet report after the successful season opener.

UKSL Meet 1 - Langar, UK - 17th/18th May 2008

A good turn-out of 22 teams attended the first UKSL meet of 2008 at Langar last weekend. The continuing popularity of 4-way in the UK is good to see with 10 Rookie teams present, plus some more established names back for another season.

Saturday saw low cloud ruin most of the day with the jumpers hanging around waiting for the weather to clear. UK National champions and the UK representative in the female 4-way event, Bodyflight Storm, were kind enough to send along inside centre Hannah Betts and tail flyer Kate Stephens to provide their expert opinion and coach any teams that needed guidance for free.

The girls were kept busy at the creeper pad and mock-up providing some invaluable coaching tips and even entertained the competitors with an impromptu chat on all matters 4-way during the weather hold.

Saturday evening saw us start the competition with part of round one finished before sunset. The Camscore system again proved popular with all the teams able to watch the judged footage and see the update scoreboard on the big screen in the bar area.

Sunday weather was much better, and it was full steam ahead for all teams. Langar currently has a G92, and the swift climbing jump-ship soon started eating into the long list of waiting teams. DZ management were on the ball, and running things very well, with no major hiccups. Camera flyers were in short supply with many teams turning up camera less. This meant nearly all of the videomen present doubled up on teams and these guys really were the unsung heroes of the competition.

Things are looking very interesting for the UK scene this year. Notably Rookies and AA Class have a lot of teams that are of very similar standard. In the AA Class two or three points separated the top four teams on each round. Phobia is a team that started out in the Rookie Class and has steadily worked their way through the categories. Phantom and the all female Kaizen are new in 2008, but have experienced FS competitors in their lineups. AA Class team from 2007, Fend 4 Yourself, is still in there giving it another crack.

The Rookie Class teams are mostly made up of new teams starting out. Innuendo were a scratch outfit at last years Nationals achieving a 2.8 average. This year, they're back in the Rookie Class, but they are getting coaching and with matching suits look like they mean business. Burble were at last year's nationals too, getting a 3.8 average. Add in new comers Zero Degrees and the girls of Flux, and the Rookie Class looks very exciting.

As the scores started to filter back to the scoreboard there were several nip and tuck battles going on. AA Class national champions of 2007, Wingnutz, having gone up to the AAA Class, were again locking horns and were matched virtually point for point with friends and rivals Bonobo, 2007 AA Class bronze medallists.

Both teams were, however, eclipsed by Satori, a new team for 2008 made up of some experienced world standard competitors. Tail for this meet was current female world champion Amanda Kemp joining her ex-Airkix team mate Julia Foxwell standing in for regular tail, Aaron Faith. Using an alternate didn't seem to trip Sartori who easily took gold with a healthy 17.5 average. Wingnutz edged out Bonobo by one point to snatch Silver.

The AA Class had nothing really between the top four of Phantom, Fend 4, Phobia and Switch. With the meet called on four rounds, the crowd gathered in front of the big screen to see the outcome. Phantom and Fend 4 neck and neck after three jumps, with Phobia and Switch both two points behind.

Phantom went first and looked solid scoring a 10. Fend 4 yourself next and although the dive was flowing, the clocked stopped at 9. Phantom took it by one. Phobia secured bronze with 10 and Switch decided to show their sense of humour by jumping in hooded tops and sweatpants scoring a 4, but having more fun than you're supposed to during a meet!

The A Class had three teams compete, but it was being dominated by Strangers, a Rookie Class team of 2007, showing off their new love of blocks with some steady and impressive jumps easily taking gold from RAFSPA Firefly and scratch team Pogo-Boing.

The Rookie Class was the closest category. After a flying start, Innuendo were playing good round/bad round and were just edged into bronze by local team Zero Degrees and Burble. Tied after Round 4 - it was a Rookie Class jump-off for gold medals! Honors this time go to the impressive Zero Degrees who just got it by one point.

Thanks to judges Ruth and Penny, all drop zone management, pilots and staff and anyone who did a lot of camera jumps at the meet! A great weekend enjoyed by all who attended. Next round - 7/8 June at Netheravon.

If you're in the UK - please pop along - guest teams are more than welcome! Or as we say in the UK - come and have a go if you think you're hard enough...