posted Jan 21st, 2009 - The NSL News began with the coverage of the World Challenge 2009 already ealier this year and published a few previews on 7 January 2009 and on 12 January 2009.

Pete Allum, former British national competitor and currently team member of the Italian 4-way team Sinapsi, winner of the bronze medals at the World Championship of Formation Skydiving 2006 in Germany, recently returned from his summer duties in Europe to DeLand for the winter season. He updated the NSL News with information of his own work agenda, and he also had interesting news that related to the World Challenge 2009.

The members of the former British national team of many years, XL, have used the indoor competition on their original homeland for several reunions in the past years. The team name XL used to stand for the British world class outdoor lineup. It has recently changed into the synonym for a fun loving international indoor lineup that meets every year in Bedford. Pete Allum has joined the reunion every year so far.

XL did not compete at the first World Challenge in 2006. The first lineup in 2007 consisted of three former British XL members (Peter Allum, Steve Hamilton, John McIver) and former Airspeed member Brian Johnson and created sensational headlines on the first day of the competition. XL was in first place after the first five rounds.

The complete coverage of the 2007 competition can still be found in the NSL Archives (Archives > 2007 > Leagues > NSL News > Meet 1). The first XL indoor lineup of 2007 could not maintain the top position and ended up in 3rd place behind Airspeed Odyssey and Team Fastrax.

XL came back for the World Challenge 2008 and had a different lineup. Once again, three former XL outdoor members teamed up with US competitor Brian Johnson. Pete Allum and Steve Hamilton had recruited Thomas Hughes who replaced John McIver in March 2008.

The XL 2008 lineup performed even stronger and finished in 2nd place with a 28.1 average. XL missed the 1st place, once again taken by Airspeed Odyssey, only by two single points. The complete coverage of the 2008 event is still available, as well.

The World Challenge 2009 finally features the complete reunion of the former British national 4-way team. Pete Allum told the NSL News that the two current Sinapsi members (Peter Allum, Steve Hamilton) join forces with John McIver and Thomas Hughes.

This lineup is identical with the British team that competed for the very last time at the World Championship of Formation Skydiving 2003 in Gap, France. XL finished in 4th place, and the DeLand Norgies won the bronze medals for the 3rd time. Both teams then retired as the official national teams.

The World Challenge 2009 will not be the first time that this XL lineup has a reunion in Bedford. In fact, all four members of the 2003 lineup were at Bodyflight Bedford in 2007 and 2008, they just did not compete together. Thomas Hughes was a Fastrax member in 2007 and beat his former team with a 2nd place finish. John McIver had to fill a slot for Sonic V in 2008, a British AAA Class team that he was coaching.

This year, neither Thomas Hughes nor John McIver or any other XL 2003 member have other commitments. The door was open for a very active reunion, and the plans eventually materialized. Brian Johnson has to take the observer position this time.

The XL reunion at the World Challenge 2009 has another interesting XL aspect. Another former XL member will be at the competition site in Bedford this year. The NSL News reported on 13 November 2008 that the British top team Satori has a new team member. Former XL competitor Lee Love is filling the slot for Liz Matthews who is pregnant.

The same story explained that Steve Hamilton joined XL when Lee Love left after the World Meet 1999 in Australia. Thomas Hughes was the last XL member who joined the British national team. He replaced Toby Stafford after the World Meet 2001 in Spain.

Lee Love will be competing with Satori at the World Challenge 2009. Toby Stafford's plans were not available for the NSL News...