posted Feb 12th, 2013 - The list of teams for the World Challenge 2013 keeps growing consistently and is now at the point where it was at the end of February last year. The World Challenge 2012 had a record participation of 77 teams, and this number will probably be history again in April 2013. A total of 66 teams is currently registered in the traditional 4way categories.

Bodyflight Bedford's owner Paul Mayer has limited the number of teams to 100, which seems to be very far away. However, who would have thought that over 70 teams would come to Bedford one day? Who would have thought that the 4way outdoor meet average would be at 27.9 at a world meet? Paul Mayer has not accepted any limits ever since he launched the event, and once again he could be right with his vision of 100 teams one day.

There are still new teams signing up every year, and most of the teams and competitors who have visited once are coming back year by year.

Registered AAA Class Teams: XL, NMP-PCH Hayabusa (BE), Arizona Airspeed (US), SDC Rhythm XP (US), Evolution (CA), Gavroches (FR), Thunder (BE), SportLoto (RU), Mars Attacks (FR), Peanuts (CH), Airplay (DK), Anti Matter (UK), SAVoA (UK), MP3 Five (AT), Eclipse (UK), Escondido (UK), a.team4way (RU), Celtic Air (IE), International Relations (UK), Creeps (NL), Nuevo (UK), Festina Lente (UK), Hyrrokkin (UK), Magic 4 (LT), Dynamic Wolf Squadron (UK), Chicas Unchained (DE), SonicNutz (UK), Voodoo (ZA), Atmosfera G4 (PT), VAF 13 (DK), VIVA (CH) Registered AA Class Teams: Taranis (IE), Solar Flakes (LT), J-Force (NL), Raykipo (UK), Atmosfera High 5 (PT) Registered A Class Teams: DNA Reloaded (IT), Equinox (LT), Tail Spin (IE), Inbetweeners (IE), Heroes of the Arctic Circle (FI), 4Getit (IL), Fathers 4 Justice (UK), TR4CK (UK), Fragment (UK), Satori Sunshine (UK), Blue Rebels (GR), AirPlay Blue (DK), Amnesia (UK), Mental Blox (UK), Golden Lockpins (NO) Registered Rookie Class Teams: Chatterati (UK), Pro Team Extended (FI), ChatterChicks (UK), Wind Shear (IE), AirPlay Feathers (DK), Team Tetley (UK), Phwoarrrsome (UK), Panik (IT)

The new teams at the World Challenge are not necessarily new lineups and the beginners in the sport. The 2013 event is the third one that includes all four NSL 4way categories, and the inclusion of the Rookie and A Class attracted many new skydivers to the popular indoor competition. However, there are also still experienced teams and competitors showing up for the first time.

The Canadian national team Evolution competes this year at the World Challenge. New Evolution Point Katie Woods knows the place very well, as she has worked, trained and competed at Bodyflight Bedford during her years with Satori (2008 - 2010). Now she trains with Evolution at the 14-foot SkyVenture Montreal tunnel, and her team will be well prepared.

The Swiss national team VIVA is also traveling to Bedford for the first time. VIVA represented Switzerland at the Mondial Dubai 2012 and finished in 14th place with a 16.3 average.

Several other national teams make the World Challenge like an indoor World Championship. Arizona Airspeed and NMP-PCH Hayabusa are the gold and silver medalists of the Mondial 2013. Magic 4 competed for Lithuania, Voodoo for South Africa and Atmosfera G4 for Portugal in Dubai.

Teams from Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, and of course the United Kingdom, make it a field of teams from 20 different contries so far. It also includes a first-time visitor from Israel. Paz Eshel, Elinor Webber, Assaf Arbelle and Yogev Kalmanovich compete with 4GetIt in the A Class. Israel did not even have a team at the Mondial 2013.

This year's World Challenge is also the second time that the female 4way teams have their own category. This event features a reunion of the original Aerokart Deep Blue lineup. A new team from Denmark, with two Danish Divas of last year's national team in Dubai, has just signed up. The Danish Vivas are a combination of Veyron, Blue Motion and the Danish Divas.

There will be great competition in each category. NMP-PCH Hayabusa will try to defend the unofficial title of the world indoor champion after winning in 2011 and 2012. Arizona Airspeed's new lineup will challenge the Belgians as much as possible, and Evolution is the underdog for the top spots, probably together with XL.

Last year's AA Class winner Hyrrokkin, with Katie Woods' brother James in the lineup, will not defend the title after signing up for the AAA Class competition. The same counts for A Class winner Raykipo. Hyrrokkin will not be able to win in the AAA Class, however, Raykipo may have a chance to be a top contender in their next category up. The AA Class competition seems to be wide open at the moment.

The Blue Rebels from Greece and DNA Reloaded from Italy could be the top contenders in this year's A Class competition without Raykipo. Both teams impressed the 18 A Class teams at the ISR Grand Prix 2012 with high scores in 1st and 3rd place.