posted Feb 6th, 2009 - The Carolina Skydiving League begins the 2009 season the same way as last year, with a windtunnel competition. This time, the Carolina Skydiving League and Paraclete XP support the "Jump for the Cause" project with the event, which is scheduled for February 21.

The event includes a 4-way tunnel training camp for competitors with limited tunnel experience and a 4-way competition for all CASL competition classes (AAA, AA and Rookie). There will also be a 2-way VRW competition for novice and intermediates.

CASL Director Dan Winkelstein said that the event package also includes a dinner for all competitors at the end of the day. The Carolina Skydiving League will then hold its annual meeting for teams and competitors where the schedule for the 2009 season will be set.

All proceeds of the event will directly benefit "Jump for the Cause" and aid the treatment of breast cancer. The event is open to everyone: established teams, pickup teams, and people looking for teams. Dan Winkelstein said that the Rookie Class is especially designed for jumpers with less than 500 jumps. He is available to help finding teams and slots: "If you don't have a team, or are looking for someone, please contact me, and I will make sure that we match everyone up, so everyone can fly."

Potential participants with no windtunnel experience have the opportunity to get familiar with the environment before the meet begins. In fact, Dan Winkelstein said that the 4-way tunnel camp is required for any jumper who has not done 4-way in a windtunnel: "The camp is highly recommended for anyone with less than an hour of RW tunnel time. It's also a good idea for any novice skydiver who is part of a pickup team."

The tunnel meet consists of six rounds for all competition classes (AAA, AA and Rookie). Dan Winkelstein explained the logistics for the tunnel meet: "Each team gets 90 seconds tunnel time per round and has to form a Star at the beginning of each sequence. The working time starts when the Star is broken and ends 35 seconds later. Each tunnel session consists of three teams and three rounds per team. There is a break once all teams have completed the first three rounds. Then the teams go back into the tunnel for the last three rounds. Footage for judging will be filmed from the overhead camera."

Dan Winkelstein added that he has reserved enough time for 12 Formation Skydiving teams and 12 VRW teams. He has the option to move the schedule around and start the tunnel meet earlier if more than 12 teams register. He has also blocked off two more hours of flying time in the early afternoon for teams that want to practice. Teams can contact him directly by e-mail to make reservations.

A total of 14 teams attended the indoor competition last year. Paraclete XP won the AAA Class competition with a 20.2 average. Only one team competed in the AA Class, and the Fast Fockers won the A Class competition with an 11.2 average. Team Woosh was the best of eight Rookie Class teams and won with an 11.8 average.

The annual meeting of the Carolina Skydiving League will take place during and after the dinner at the end of the competition day. Dan Winkelstein and his CASL teams and competitors will review the finances, elect CASL officers and set the 2009 schedule. Last event that night is the award ceremony for the 4-way competition. The costs for the 4-way tunnel meet are $45 per competitor ($180 per team) and $70 for the tunnel camp. The registration fee includes the dinner on Saturday evening.