posted Sep 29th, 2012 - The NSL News reported the 4way scores of the Russian Nationals 2012 yesterday and now follows up with the 8way scores.

National team Sky Panthers Barkli had no serious competition in Tanay, Siberia, and the meet was concluded after five rounds. The scores are not really reflecting the current potential of the Russian 8way team for many reasons that go beyond the actual training and competition.

Barkli had posted a 19.0 average at the Paraclete XP Outdoor Skydiving Championships 2012 and now finished with a 17.0 average at a 5-round meet without serious competition.

Russian Nationals 2012		Round 1	Round 2	Round 3	Round 4	Round 5	Total	Avg
Rank	8way	7,M,D,5	A,21,F,18	C,14,20	17,Q,19	11,9,13	Total	Avg
1	Sky Panthers Barkli 8 (RU)	13	20	18	17	17	85	17.0
2	Tanay (RU)	11	14	12	11	11	59	11.8
3	Phoenix 11 (RU)	10	10	9	9	10	48	9.6

It seems like all top contenders for medals at this year's World Championship of Formation Skydiving have been facing the same problem. The best three 4way teams met each other directly at an outdoor competition only at the Paraclete XP Outdoor Championship 2012 and then never again this year.

France (Aerodyne Maubeuge), USA (Golden Knights) and Russia (Sky Panthers Barkli), the three 8way medal winners of 2010, had no competition this year where they were facing each other directly. Barkli came to DeLand to meet the Golden Knights for an 8way meet at the Paraclete XP Outdoor Championship 2012. The Golden Knights won by 28 points by then.

In 4way, the top teams had at least the opportunity to compare their scores indirectly at a few opportunities. Arizona Airspeed offered NMP-PCH Hayabusa and Aerodyne Aerokart the first glimpse at the 2012 scores after the Valentine's Meet 2012. A month later, the three 4way top contenders then met in DeLand where Barkli's 4way lineup sat out.

Hayabusa offered more scores to look at in September, at the World Cup 2012 and then at the ESL Championship 2012. Aerodyne Aerokart posted French scores at the national championships.

The Paraclete XP Outdoor Championship 2012 was still the only competition where the top medal contenders in one event were present at the same time and the same place. There was no 8way competition where the situation was the same.

France posted 8way scores only at the national championships, Russia now followed up with new 8way results. The Golden Kniights will have the last word at the USPA Nationals 2012 before finally all top teams travel to Dubai at the end of November.