posted Jun 18th, 2008 - The Russian Nationals 2008 are in full swing, and three teams are standing above a 23-point average level after four rounds. However, it seems as if Sky Panthers have already secured the top position, which would once again qualify Michail Kuznetsov, Vladimir Pavlenko, Oleg Shalamykhin, Sergej Shenin and Andrey Seliverstov as the Russian national team for the World Championship of Formation Skydiving 2008.

The Sky Panthers have already distanced themselves from Black Cat by ten points after the first four rounds, and it will be very difficult for the reigning Russian 4-way champions to catch up with the current leader.

Black Cat lost a few points in the first two rounds due to brainlocks, which gave Sky Panthers a perfect start into the competition and a lot of confidence. Black Cat recovered in Round 3 with the highscore for the round. However, the scores of the first two rounds had given Sky Panthers already a 7-point lead, and the 1-point reduction in Round 3 did not change much.

There was more damage for Black Cat in Round 4 when Sky Panthers added four more points to the lead. The 10-point difference after four rounds seems to be enough to win the meet. However, it is a 10-round competition, and the fast sequence of Round 9 may offer Black Cat an opportunity and maybe the last chance.

Cross Road in 3rd place would have been in the same situation as Black Cat. The team lost four points in the fast sequence of Round 1 and is still four points behind Black Cat after four rounds.

Event Judge Dr. Rainer "Exi" Hoenle from Germany reported that the Sky Panthers have a very clean performance after a rougher 2007 season. He added that it seems to be the opposite situation for Black Cat so far. He hopes that the weather will improve later today, which would allow the organizers to complete the meet today.

Egor Gusev is also providing the NSL News with updates directly from the competition site. He is a member of the Russian team Kaktus Hunter, which was not planning to compete at the Russian Nationals 2008 this week. The NSL News story on 16 February 2008 had introduced the team and its plans in detail.

Egor Gusev still has a good reason to hang out at the Russian Nationals 2008. The two female members of his Kaktus Hunter lineup, Katya Kharitonova and Anna Panasyuk, are both competing for Joggy Bussi, as yesterday's NSL News story explained. Alena Chistova and Vitalia Kupriyanenko complete the all-female lineup, and Joggy Bussi is far ahead of any other Russian female teams after four rounds.

The 18.8 average after four rounds is very competitive as of the international 4-way situation in the female category. The Joggy Bussi members may become very interested and motivated to compete for Russia at the World Meet in France. Kaktus Hunter posted a 22.2 average at the World Challenge 2008. The current performance at the Russian Nationals 2008 may bring the two female members to their best outdoor meet average. Kaktus Hunter then may have to accommodate new Joggy Bussi plans to compete in France in August...