posted Sep 9th, 2008 - The NSL News coverage of the Italian Nationals 2008 ended after the scores of Round 9 were posted. It was already obvious by then that the new Sinapsi lineup would win the competition. The NSL News explained the interesting situation in Italy with the story on 30 August 2008.

The story included the commentary that the new Sinapsi lineup was not yet performing and scoring on the same level where the 2004 and 2006 lineup was. That counted only for the first nine rounds. Sinapsi, with new Center Outside Steve Hamilton, eventually finished the competition with a world-class score in Round 10.

The 25-pointer for a faster sequence (16-N-F-7) indicated the direction where Sinapsi might be heading from here on. The national team of 2008, the Spin Team, posted an impressive 22-pointer for the same round and ended up 19 points behind Sinapsi after ten rounds.

The NSL News was interested in the future plans of the new Sinapsi lineup, and Pete Allum recently provided some information.

Before his comments, Italy's IPC Delegate and FAI Judge Sara Sacchet had already updated the NSL News with a special note from the Italian Nationals 2008, related to the new Sinapsi member:

"Steve's Italian has improved a lot. He now understands almost everything, and he also speaks a very good Italian with a funny accent..."

Pete Allum reported that the event had great weather and national TV covering the event with a live broadcast every day between 4-6 pm. There was also ongoing commentary of each event over the PA system.

He said that the Spin Team gave Sinapsi a tough start and great competition after a year of preparation and just coming back from the World Meet 2008 in France. The Spin Team actually won Round 7 and tied Sinapsi's score in Round 3.

The competition draw was difficult and hard work for Sinapsi, as Pete Allum explained:

"All blocks made it into the ten rounds, and only two rounds had random formations out of the door."

He added that all teams suffered lower meet averages, which might have been different if the jump-off round had come earlier in the meet:

"The jump off round had five sweet randoms, unfortunately that round was never needed and the teams averages certainly suffered."

He gave credit to the team from Salerno in 3rd place, Felix Areo Club Poseidon, that was the Italian national 4-way team for a very short time period last year:

"The team from Salerno, Felix, is amazing. They only make 100 training jumps per year but are able to give everyone a close meet and are upping their game each season. I am sure that it helps having two sets of brothers in the team."

Eventually, Pete Allum also provided more information of his own team project. Sinapsi made only 100 training jumps this year and completed three hours of windtunnel training at Bodyflight Bedford:

"That was enough to prepare for this competition but will definately not be sufficient for the next season."

Sinapsi will now plan its campaign for the 2009 season, which will include many more hours of windtunnel time. The NSL News will hopefully be able to follow up soon with more details.

Pete Allum was pleased with the Sinapsi performance at the Italian Nationals 2008 and sees a lot of potential, not only for his own team:

"Sinapsi finished 20 points ahead and finished strongly with a 25-pointer in Round 10. The number of teams and the quality standard in the other two 4-way categories show that Italy is developing a strong 4-way presence to equal the other nations. Italy will have plenty of talent for the future."