posted Apr 1st, 2012 - The latest NSL News contribution for the Blue Skies Mag and the "Turning Points" column goes back to the more competitive part of Formation Skydiving. In fact, it is once again the most competitive part where the best teams in the world compete for the gold medals at world championships, nothing less.

Not even the top spot in the world has been challenging enough for some of the most extraordinary athletes in Formation Skydiving competition. They wanted and still want even more, they are after both gold medals in the two major Formation Skydiving events, 4way and 8way competition in the Open Class.

The NSL News reviewed the history of the double gold attempts for Blue Skies Mag and evaluated the chances of the four French Aerodyne Aerokart competitors to achieve something that has not been done so far.

Turning Points: Nothing is Impossible - Double Gold in Dubai 2012?

Many have tried it - but only one person has ever done it. Mathieu Bernier is his name. He is a French policeman, and he is training and competing together with his brother Guillaume in the French national 4-way and 8-way team. Mathieu Bernier is the only formation skydiving competitor in the history of the sport who has won two gold medals, one in 4-way and one in 8-way, at the same event. He did those 20 golden rounds in five days of the World Championship of Formation Skydiving 2010 in Menzelinsk, Russia. He was the only one from his 4-way team who competed in 4-way and in 8-way at the same time and at the same place and accomplished what nobody else had done before.

It was not the first time that this high goal was pursued, and some 4-way teams came very close with their complete lineups. The Golden Knights finished in second place in 4-way at the World Meet1987 in Brazil after winning the 8-way gold medals. Arizona Airspeed's legendary first 4-way lineup (Jack Jefferies, Mark Kirkby, Kirk Verner, and Dan BC) tried it in 1999 and ended up with gold in 8-way and silver in 4-way. Three members of the next Airspeed lineup (Craig Girard, John Eagle, and Mark Kirkby) tried it again in 2001 and won gold in 4-way, with the 8-way gold medal one single point away. It was as close to success as any 4-way competitors had ever come trying to mastering the double-gold challenge.

Airspeed last attempted in 2001, and then it was France's turn. Marin Ferre, Julien Losantos, Davide Moy, and Erwan Pouliquen won the 4-way gold medals at the World Meet 2003 in Gap, France, and they were all in the French 8-way lineup, too. They had no chance, though, ending in third place behind Russia and Airspeed and never tried again with a complete 4-way lineup - until 2010.

It is obviously a great temptation and an admirable goal to show the world that formation skydiving competitors can be the best of the best in two different events at the same time. But how realistic is it?

France has the one and only successful example in the history of the sport that it can be done, as Mathieu Bernier proved in 2010. Can it be done again, and can it be done by a complete 4-way lineup? Can it be done at a time when each event has become technically very sophisticated and highly competitive? At a time when the top teams train like pros in each event?

In all honesty: Chances are low. Actually, it seems to be impossible.

Aerodyne Aerokart, the French 4-way team, is dealing with Arizona Airspeed and NMP-PCH Hayabusa, two teams specialized and totally focused only on 4-way competition. Aerodyne Maubeuge, the French 8-way team, has the U.S. Army Golden Knights as their strongest opponent. Team captain Brian "BK" Krause wants the 8-way gold medals for the U.S. Army, nothing else, and he is doing whatever it takes to prepare his team. They outscored France at the World Cup 2011 and added impressive scores at the USPA Nationals 2011 and the Paraclete Indoor Championship 2012.

How could it be possible for France to still win in both events in Dubai this year?

France has Mathieu Bernier, the inspiration, role model, and successful example. If he can do it the whole 4-way lineup can do it, with the support of the entire French delegation. That's the foundation, the thesis. However, the circumstances are still different compared to 2010, Mathieu Bernier's year. The World Meet 2010 was a "weak year" in 8-way. France could win the gold medals since the Golden Knights were still in a building phase at that time, and Russia did not compete on the same level. The 4-way competition was different, fierce and close between Airspeed and France, no "weak year" in this event.

The 2012 season is not a weak year at all, neither in 4-way nor in 8-way. France is not only dealing with a new and very eager Airspeed lineup that has not lost an outdoor competition yet, but Hayabusa is stronger and better than ever, and the Belgians have always said that they wanted to win in 2012, no earlier and no later. Winning gold in 2010 may have been a walk in the park compared to what's coming up for the best 4-way teams this year in Dubai.

It will not be any easier in 8-way. The Golden Knights are on the road to set new records this year. It is very unlikely that the standing world records for a single round (31) and the highest meet average (22.4) will survive the 2012 season. On the other side, France has not even started the 8-way training for this year by the time this article is published.

Rounds 8 to 10 of the TOP 3 - NSL Talk with Aerodyne Aerokart

One factor speaks for the French double-gold project: time. The 2012 season is probably the longest world-meet season in the history of the sport. The World Championship of Formation Skydiving is scheduled for the beginning of December. All teams have much more time on their hands than ever before to complete their training plans. The late start for the French 8-way team may not hurt the progression of the highly talented and experienced lineup too much. Splitting the time between 4-way and 8-way training is also easier in a longer time period.

In addition, the 5-day rule to complete the formation skydiving competition in both events at an FAI competition has been waived for Dubai 2012. The meet could easily be dragged out over several more days by the host to accommodate all skydiving events of the Mondial 2012. Maybe good for France - definitely bad for the event specialists in 4-way and 8-way. Teams are surely not in favor of spending a lot of time at a competition site to make a small number of jumps. This brings the mental game and psychology into the game plan for Dubai 2012 and could turn out to be an advantage for the French delegation. Their open class 4-way and 8-way competitors will probably appreciate additional time to relax and focus.

But most of all they have Mathieu Bernier, and he has shown it: Nothing is impossible.