posted Aug 28th, 2012 - The opening ceremony of the World Cup 2012 took place in the same Tennis Hotel several teams and competitors were accommodated at the World Cup 2009. All participants and officials are staying at the same place this time, due to the low number of teams.

The ceremony included several speeches by the hosts and the competition draw. The sequences were drawn live from the hat, according to the new rules, and they did not bring any surprises like a Super Sequence.

Omniskore mastermind Ted Wagner is back in business with a new HD judging and DZ-TV system. He and and owner Larry Hill are both in Prostejov to introduce the new technology. Several videographers were surprised by the fact that their GoPro HD cameras are not eligible for FAI competitions and had to make alternate plans.

The World Cup 2012 has probably the smallest field in history. The World Meet/Mondial 2012 in Dubai is the main event this year, and many teams decided to attend only one of the big FAI events.

However, the competition will be interesting, as many of the top teams are in Prostejov. NMP-PCH Hayabusa has no serious competition in the Open Class. The open question is who will be in the race for the other two sets of medals. SportLoto from Russia, Satori and Thunder are probably the top contenders for the positions behind Hayabusa.

It will also be interesting to see how close to the Open Class top spots Aerodyne Deep Blue Defenders will position themselves. Reigning 4way world champion and national coach Jeremie Rollett is in Prostejov this time and substitutes for technical coach Marin Ferre.

Thunder is officially competing for Belgium this year. The same lineup was not allowed to enter the World Cup 2011 and can even win medals this time. This brings former Hayabusa member Sven Ibens back into a direct competition with his former team.

The female 4way category has two teams compete for the 1st place. The Golden Knights are the only US team in Prostejov and face off with Polaris from Norway. Both teams are expected to compete for medals in Dubai later this year. They will compare their scores indirectly with the top contender from France and vice versa.

The teams will arrive at the DZ early this morning. The takeoff for Round 1 is scheduled for 8am, and the scores should be flowing quickly and easily with such a small field of teams.