posted Sep 27th, 2012 - The International Parachuting Commission (IPC) has recently introduced a new feature, which is sanctioned by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). It is the "Formation Skydiving World Rankings" and covers only 4way competition so far, in both categories, Open and Women.

The IPC calculates the rankings following the FAI sanctioned guidelines, which are based on the attendance at FAI events. Each country's position in 1st Category Events will count towards the ranking. Different 1st Category Events have different importance. Events over the last four years count towards the rankings. The value of points earned degrades yearly, and additional criteria consider other minor details for the rankings.

Three components combine for the current position in the rankings: A) "Points for Result" B) "Importance of the Event" C) "Date of the Event"

The fact that the rankings are only based on FAI events produces some bizarre results. The most outstanding flaw is the US American position in the 4way Open Class. The USA are currently in 17th place, even though Arizona Airspeed is arguably the best 4way team in the world, or at least one of the three best teams.

The current Airspeed lineup has not lost an outdoor competition since they started competing at the beginning of the 2011 season. Airspeed attended five outdoor meets in 2011 and two in 2012, plus two indoor meets last year and two more this year. However, the FAI has listed only Airspeed's 2nd place at the World Meet 2010, which results in the 17th place. Turkey is in 6th place...

Even if the lack of US attendance at FAI sanctioned events in 2009, 2011 and 2012 is supposed to give the US powerhouse a handicap in the rankings, the low value of the silver medals at the last World Meet in Menzelinsk does not seem to make a lot of sense. There are other major flaws (Canada, Australia, Denmark, South Africa), however, other parts of the rankings are not too far off the reality in the Open Class.

The rankings in the female 4way category are more realistic than in the Open Class, even though it is a fact that Norway (Polaris) is not in 2nd place and ahead of France (Aerodyne Deep Blue Defenders). The smaller field reduces the possibility of major flaws, such as the USA's 17th place in the Open Class.

It is still a major flaw that France is not in 2nd or even in 1st place after winning the World Cup 2011, the World Meet 2010 and the World Cup 2011. The 2nd place at the World Cup 2012 cannot degrade the French top position in the last three years so quickly and so dramatically.

The reason for this bizarre situation is the fact that France decided to have Aerodyne Deep Blue Defenders compete in the Open Class in Prostejov. This move secured France's top spot in the Open Class rankings by 0.5 points (544.00 - 543.50) and left the Defenders empty-handed for the female rankings. The 2nd place behind the Golden Knights on the NSL leaderboard would have given France 99 extra points and the 1st place in the FAI World Rankings.

No matter what - Airspeed is still in 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in the unofficial NSL world rankings and the Defenders 1st or 2nd in the female category...