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There was still additional NSL Reality TV footage, which was not uploaded so far. It shows the Dubai Asaar 8way team after the last round and also the latest celebration of friendship between the Russian 8way team Sky Panthers Barkli and the Golden Knights. The last celebration took place at the Paraclete XP Outdoor Championship 2012 where the Golden Knights presented a very special sword to the Russian team.
This time, both teams met after Round 10 and scheduled a meeting at the 8way award ceremony. Both teams then had the same idea for this event's gift. The Russians always have the best and smoothest vodka in their luggage for the occasion, which was in this case the third visit to the USA for a competition with the Golden Knights within a year. US Army team leader Brian "BK" Krause anticipated this and had his own answer to the vodka - a big bottle of whiskey.
Paraclete Outdoor 2012 | Rd. 1 | Rd. 2 | Rd. 3 | Rd. 4 | Rd. 5 | Rd. 6 | Rd. 7 | Rd. 8 | Rd. 9 | Rd. 10 | Total | Avg | |
Rank | AAA Class | 8,7,E | O,4,14 | Q,H,18,1 | D,L,N,B,13 | 21,20,5 | 17,A,19 | 10,15,11 | P,K,22,F | 16,J,3 | 6,M,9 | Total | Avg |
1 | Golden Knights | 18 | 24 | 23(-2) | 21(-2) | 17 | 18 | 23 | 26 | 29(-2) | 20 | 219 | 21.9 |
2 | Sky Panthers Barkli | 15 | 21 | 20(-1) | 21(-2) | 17 | 16 | 19 | 19(-3) | 29(-1) | 14(-2) | 191 | 19.1 |
3 | Dubai Assar 8 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 5(-2) | 6(-1) | 7 | 6(-1) | 6(-2) | 9(-1) | 10(-1) | 73 | 7.3 |
Then the 8way project was launched, and the Dubai Asaar 8way lineup competed for the first time at the Paraclete XP Outdoor Championship this year in March, together with the Golden Knights and Sky Panthers Barkli. The same three teams now got back together at the USPA Nationals 2012.
It was not really the same team who competed at Skydive Arizona last week. The 8way team at the USPA Nationals 2012 looked like a trained 8way team, and the performance level was miles above (7.3 - 11.7) the one in DeLand in March. The training and the 8way experience that the two former Airspeed members have brought to Dubai clearly show results.
USPA Nationals 2012 | Rd. 1 | Rd. 2 | Rd. 3 | Rd. 4 | Rd. 5 | Rd. 6 | Rd. 7 | Rd. 8 | Rd. 9 | Rd. 10 | Total | Avg | |
Rank | 8way Open Class | 3,6,5 | 2,D,14 | C,P,B,M,11 | 22,9,A | L,4,G,13 | E,F,8,10 | 7,N,1 | 18,O,K,J | H,Q,21,17 | 15,20,12 | Total | Avg |
1 | Golden Knights (US) | 23 | 19 | 25 | 22 | 24 | 18(-1) | 23 | 19(-2) | 21 | 25 | 219 | 21.9 |
2 | Sky Panthers Barkli (RU) | 21 | 17 | 24 | 17(-2) | 21 | 18 | 19 | 15(-2) | 21 | 18 | 191 | 19.1 |
6 | Dubai Asaar (AE) | 14 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10(-1) | 11(-2) | 10(-2) | 14 | 117 | 11.7 |
Eliana Rodriguez, who competed with Asaar Gold, and Craig Girard with Asaar Red, will both not be eligible to compete at the Mondial 2012. They were also in the 8way lineup last week. It will be a challenging job to quickly bring back the original members who could not compete at the USPA Nationals.
The Asaar 8way lineup and the two 4way teams all appeared as well trained and prepared as other well trained top teams. Eliana Rodriguez and Craig Girard communicate with the team members as they do with experienced teams, including only number and letters for the dive pool. The progression of Dubai's home teams is impressive, and the big showdown is just around the corner.