posted May 31st, 2008 - The AA Class competition at the season opener of the UK Skydiving League 2008 this month was already as tight as can be. The first three teams were separated by two points after the four rounds of the meet. Team Phobia, in 3rd place with a 13.3 average, is new to the AA Class and has been moving up a category every year.

Phobia was formed back in 2006 and entered 4-way competition in the Rookie Class. The team has now started its third year in the UKSL and consists of Laura Batterbee, Richard Head, Kate Morris and Graham Wilkins. Kate Morris replaced Tom Grocutt at the end of the 2007 season.

The Phobia members are relatively inexperienced, with approximately 1500 jumps between them all. Starting in the Rookie Class, they won the gold medals at the ESL Championship 2006 in Belgium after finishing first in the UK's Rookie Class competition the same year. Phobia attended all three UKSL 2006 meets and the UK Nationals 2006 where the team finished with a 13.8 average.

Phobia moved up into the A Class in 2007 and continued with similar success. The UK team won bronze medals at the ESL Championship 2007 after the second place in the UKSL 2007 season. The 12.3 average won the 4th place at the UK Nationals 2007. The team is now hoping to continue the successful team story in the AA Class in 2008 and beyond.

The team goal for 2008 is to win the UKSL competition in the AA Class and then qualify to represent the United Kingdom at the FAI World Cup 2009. Team member Laura Battarbee commented the goal: "No mean feat with the other more experienced teams competing against us."

Phobia has stepped up the training in 2008 compared to the previous years. The team is training at Bodyflight Bedford and Skydive Weston in the United Kingdom and added training camps in Eloy and Spain to the training plan. Phobia 2008 is on its way after a silver medal at the World Challenge 2008 and a bronze medal at the first UKSL meet at Langar.

Phobia is enjoying the tough competition that is thriving in the United Kingdom, as Laura Battarbee added: "Just check out the UKSL scores, it's nail biting stuff!" She said that on poor weather days the team members can usually be found in a poker tournament somewhere on the DZ or enjoying their secret weapon of carrot cake... Laura Battarbee also introduced the team's motto: "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger".

Point Graham Wilkins started skydiving in 2002 and has approximately 450 jumps. He flew the Tail slot for Phobia in 2006 and switched to Point in 2007.

"I lay the blame for this 4-way addiction entirely on Richard, who dragged me to a 4-way scrambles competition back in 2005, which was enough to get me hooked. But I thank him, as the whole experience has been, and continues to be, a blast. The feeling of nailing a round at the Nationals is hard to find in other sports, and it’s that feeling that I thrive on.

If not found skydiving, I’m told I’m often found either propping up the bar, tinkering with my Ducati, or asleep. Drink? Anything but whiskey."

Center Inside Laura Battarbee started skydiving in 2003 and joined Phobia with only 60 jumps:

"Phobia started just as I got my A license and I’ve been hooked on 4-way ever since. I love that we’re all learning and improving together, and most of all, the thrill of competing!

When I'm not skydiving I'm either working or at the gym, and when there are spare holidays to be taken I love walking in the Lake District with my fiancé. Drink of choice is a nice G&T if you’re buying!"

Center Outside Richard Head started skydiving in 2001:

"After four years of being a skint university student and acquiring only 350 jumps dabbling in 4-way, I decided that now I had a job, it was time to forget about saving for the future and spend money on the important things in life.

I managed to get three friends together who were keen to start from the ground up, where 4-way is concerned, to see how far we could take it. Two years together now, and Graham can still call my bluff. I’m partial to cider and a good red wine. I still can’t stand beer."

Tail Kate Morris is new to Phobia in 2008, but she has flown the same slot already in other teams of the Rookie and A Class:

"I started skydiving in 2004 and have approximately 500 jumps. I am extremely happy to be in the new team, as Phobia has the drive, commitment and fun I was looking for and had not found until now. I thrive on the buzz that 4-way gives me. Training hard, competing and being with my team never tires me. When I’m not skydiving I like to take my dog (Gin) out or go out on my bike. My favourite tipple at the moment is Tanqueray (Gin) and tonic. Introduced to me by our coach!"

Reigning Airkix 4-way world champion in the female category, Amanda Kemp, is working with Phobia. The team members say that she has already improved the team's average and is building the discipline on the ground and in the air. She is working hard with them to maintain and improve the performance. Phobia has also worked with Gary Beyer during training camps in the USA.

The second meet of the UKSL 2008 season is scheduled for June 7 in Netheravon.