posted Jul 22nd, 2008 - The top position of the AAA Class leaderboard has changed after the scores of a few more meets have been posted.

UK's national 4-way team in the female category, Perris Bodyflight Storm, used the last opportunity for competition training 21 days before the start of the World Meet 2008 at the July meet of the Southern California Skydiving League at Skydive Elsinore.

The 19.2 average after six rounds with an average competition draw confirms the team's status as the top contender for gold medals in France this year. The United Kingdom is the defending world champion in this event, Airkix won the gold medals in Germany 2006 with a 19.0 average after five rounds.

The French national 4-way team Aerokart Deep Blue had posted a 19.8 average after four rounds on the July 5 weekend, at the weather battered Coupe de France competition. Storm answered strongly at a competition even closer to the first jump at this year's World Meet in August. The 19.2 average is the highest outdoor average for the Storm lineup with Hannah Betts (Center Inside), Claire Scott (Center Outside), Sarah Smith (Point), Kate Stephens (Tail) and Gary Wainwright (Camera). The British team seems to be ready to defend the UK medals.

Melanie Curtis provided more details of the whole competition that attracted eight teams to visit Skydive Elsinore last weekend. She added that Storm exited from a Pilatus Porter and that four world-class 4-way competitors tried to offer the British national team some competition and formed a pickup team.

The lineup of Tom's Team included Storm's coach and multiple 4-way and 8-way world champion Dan BC, reigning DeLand Fire 4-way world champion Natasha Montgomery, Steve Simar and Tom Allen. Tom's Team still ended up far behind Storm with a 14.2 average.

Melanie Curtis reported that AAA Class team Elsinore Jedi is actually a hybrid team and competes in 4-way Formation Skydiving and 4-way Vertical, as well:

"Elsinore Jedi is a VFS team, doing both FS and vertical at the USPA Nationals, yes! Jedi went head to head with a trained Advanced Class team, Elsinore Kabong, only for Kabong to take it by one point in the final round. Great competition pressure for both teams!"

Perris Jimani secured the first place in Elsinore easily with a 6.3 average and holds the second place of last weekend's AA Class leaderboard behind FSL team FSC Wind Damaged. Elsinore Havoc and Perris Momentum battled it out for the second place in Elsinore, with the local team winning by two points.

A new Rookie Class team visited from Byron and took the top position of last weekend's Rookie Class leaderboard at the first competition. Melanie Curtis said that the 4-way crowd in Elsinore was impressed with the B.A.M. newcomers:

"The rookies down from Byron made a solid effort despite being the only team in their division. The experienced crowd gave the young team kudos for getting started and making it happen. Nice work everyone!"

The next and last meet of the Southern California Skydiving League 2008 is scheduled for September 13 in Perris.