posted Apr 27th, 2009 - Several NSL YouTube TV fans have already noticed that Round 8 of the World Challenge 2009 was uploaded a few days ago and has been available for reviews.

A Norwegian competitor directed special attention to Round 8 of the Norwegian world class 4-way team Arcteryx. He pointed out that Arcteryx member Ole Petter Hjelle in the Tail slot loses his helmet in the heat of the competition action.

Ole Petter Hjelle mentioned to the NSL News already during a conversation in Bedford that he had an interesting equipment experience in Round 8. The NSL News was in the middle of the heat of live coverage in Bedford and did not follow up on the incident until the videos of Round 8 were now uploaded.

Ole Petter Hjelle reaches up to his head after approx. 22 seconds of working time in Round 8. He probably felt that his helmet was not sitting tightly any longer. A few seconds later, a helmet comes flying up towards the tunnel camera.

Amazingly, the Arcteryx Tail seems to be completely unimpressed. He continues without hesitation and doesn't even miss a grip until the 35 seconds of working time are over. Every skydiver knows how difficult it is to see things clearly without the eye protection of goggles or a helmet.

His way how to deal with the unpleasant surprise and additional challenge speaks for the team skills, especially for the synchronization within the rear piece. His Center Inside, Mathias Nord, obviously presented his arms and legs for Ole Petter Hjelle's grips where they were supposed to be and where the Tail expected them.

The performance in the last ten seconds of Round 8 deserves even more credit, as Arcteryx did not even compete with the complete lineup of the 2008 season. The team name had actually turned into Arcteryx Nice at the World Challenge 2009 since French 4-way world champion of 2003, Julien Losantos, replaced Derek Broughton in Bedford.

The lineup for the indoor competition did not get any training at all before the competition began, as Ole Petter Hjelle's travel to Bedford was delayed, and he arrived too late for any flying sessions. The first seven rounds prepared Arcteryx Nice for the additional challenge in Round 8.

The Arcteryx progression during the meet was showing results in the race with the US team GKXP for the 6th place. The Golden Knights/Paraclete XP combination won the first six rounds by six points. Then Arcteryx Nice did not give up a point any longer in the last four rounds and won these by three points.

Another very interesting aspect from the Norwegian perspective in Bedford was the fact that three different generations of Norwegian 4-way lineups attended the meet at the same time. DeLand Norgies Paul Kolbenstvedt and Lise Nansen (formerly Aune) competed as player coaches for the international lineup of Area 51. The DeLand Norgies were the Norwegian national team between 1999 and 2003.

Arcteryx then represented Norway between 2004 and 2008. Ole Petter Hjelle and Ditta Valsdottir are original members of the Arcteryx lineup that was formed at the end of the 2003 season. Arcteryx eventually improved Norway's performance and scoring level after the DeLand Norgies but missed any medal positions at the three world meets ever since the DeLand Norgies retired.

Area 51, with the two DeLand Norgies, plus Igor Galvan from Italy and Alex Jordaan from South Africa, had a fierce battle with the youngest generation of Norwegian 4-way competitors in Bedford. Team Frost consisted of Kjetil "Rookie" Nordin, Tore Granmo, Ivan Quadrio and Arcteryx member Derek Broughton as a player coach.

Kjetil Nordin and Tore Granmo are eager to be selected for the next Norwegian national 4-way team. The NSL News reported already on 17 November 2008 (Archives > 2008 > News > Search for: "X3M4S") that they made their own plans when team Nexus was nominated as the national lineup for 2009:

"The other two X3M4S members of 2008, Tore Granmo and Kjetil Nordin, have their own plans to get to the top level, as well. They want to hire two high-profile player coaches and train with them on a 2-on-2 basis. Their plans could make for an interesting race between the official national 4-way team of 2009 and the free enterprise project of Tore Granmo and Kjetil Nordin. And then there are still the Arcteryx members with their option to join the selection process at the end of the 2009 season."

Frost was not able to keep up with the Arcteryx veterans at the World Challenge 2009. However, with the help and guidance of Derek Broughton they managed to finish one single point (19.0 - 18.9) ahead of the DeLand Norgies with Area 51.