posted Mar 7th, 2009 - The last World Challenge 2009 update on 17 February 2009 reported a new record participation for the indoor competition at Bodyflight Bedford of 44 teams. This number has also become old news.

Bodyflight's owner Paul Meyer mentioned already in 2007 that he could see a total number of 50 teams at future events in Bedford. In fact, he said that he has the potential to accommodate up to 50 teams. Well, that's now coming up for him and his staff at this year's event, the list of registered teams has come to the total number of 50.

New names on the list include the Norwegian national 4-way team of the last three world meets in 2004, 2006 and 2008, Arcteryx. The Norwegian world class team competed in Bedford already last year, and the NSL News audience may remember the exciting 1-point race with Perris Fury for the 3rd place. Fury won with a 26.1 average over Arcteryx and cashed in £1,500 while Arcteryx settled for £500.

The Arcteryx lineup is different for the World Challenge 2009. Point Derek Broughton competes as a player coach for team Frost in Bedford, and Arcteryx found a great replacement in the slot. Julien Losantos is one of the most experienced and successful French competitors. He won a silver medal with the French 4-way team at the World Meet 2001 in Spain, two single points behind Airspeed with a 21.2 average.

Then he was a member of the French lineup that won the gold medals with a 22.9 average in Gap 2003 where he also tried to win the 8-way event at the same time. He continued in Croatia 2004 where France won silver medals in 4-way. National coach Jerome David then focused the French efforts on 8-way and the female 4-way event. However, Julien Losantos teamed up with three friends (Paul "Polo" Grisoni, Davide Moy, Erwan Pouliquen) for the World Meet 2006 in Germany and won another silver medal with a 22.2 average.

Arcteryx will obviously not suffer much with the new Point. The Norwegian national team is not taking it very seriously this year anyway and has no plans for the near future at the moment. However, the lineup at the World Challenge 2009 will surely be very competitive.

The list of teams also includes two teams from Portugal. Atmosfera G4 will compete in the AAA Class competition, and Atmosfera has signed up for the AA Class. Atmosfera member Luis Mamão said that the teams from Portugal are just coming to Bedford for the experience: "Our goal is not to win, just to participate and representing our country."

It has been a while that a team from Portugal attended an international high-profile competition. The last time that Portugal was represented at a World Championship of Formation Skydiving was in 2001. The World Meet took place in Spain that year, which is neighbouring Portugal in Southern Europe. The team from Portugal finished in 21st place of 34 teams with an 8.3 average.

The NSL News will continue to introduce the field of 4-way teams that have signed up for the World Challenge 2009.