posted Sep 16th, 2014 - The 8-way competition is on the way at the USPA Nationals 2014 after a complete weather day on Monday.

The Golden Knights seem to be ready to tackle the new competition draw with vengeance. The 26-pointer in Round 1 indicates that the world champions are ready to take on Eric Heinsheimer's 31-pointer of 1997. The sequence of Round 1 had three random formations and a block, the same situation as in Round 8.

Sequences of random formations are usually slower than the fast blocks of the 8-way dive pool, and Round 4 at the FAI World Championship of Formation Skydiving 2014 (M,4,1) surely was the easier one. However, the sequence of Round 8 is nicely laid out for very quick transitions between the random formations, and Bock 15 is one of the fastest in 8-way, as well. The Golden Knights obviously mastered the memory in Round 1 without a problem, as they will face slot switchers in Round 8, as well. The new world record is possible, especially after the impressive first round.

In the meantime, Joey Jones has summarized the 4-way action at Skydive Chicago from his perspective:

"It was so nice to be back at Skydive Chicago. The commitment and energy towards making this event special was immediately apparent from the entire staff. Unfortunately, there are some things even Rook Nelson can't fix. To be honest, I preferred the weather I had just left at the UK Nationals...

"My first three days in Chicago were hampered by rain and low clouds leaving the VFS and MS competitors wondering if they were going to finish their meet. On the first day of scheduled 4-way FS, which was also the weather day for the VFS and MS events, the sun finally showed itself. The temperatures were well below freezing at altitude, but the competitors were not fazed and happy to be jumping.

"Despite a short weather hold, 122 loads were flown and five rounds were completed in 4-way FS, and only one VFS/MS team did not complete all eight pounds. The Seattle based team was competing in both MS and VFS, which made making 16 jumps impossible after the 1.5 hr weather hold.

"Despite 122 Twin Otter loads and almost 2500 jumps, the debate for the largest nationals is still undecided. The US Nationals is definitely not the largest FS nationals in the world, as the US only had 56 opposed to UK's 75 teams."

Joey Jones mentioned that he is aware of the fact that BPA (British Parachute Association) applies all four NSL categories, including A Class and Rookie Class, which are not a part of the USPA Nationals. He continued with his own evaluation:

"In my opinion, the US system leaves new and younger jumpers with a tough challenge to perform at their first national championship, while the UK system has a place for all experience levels. Maybe the US has something to learn from the UK system - which is in fact the same as the NSL introduced it long ago...

"The total number of teams is also disputable due to the number of events. The US has less FS categories but more VFS and the new mixed event (MFS - Mixed Formation Skydiving). For me, both nationals could learn from the other, but at the end of the day they are filled with hungry skydivers putting it all on the line - and I love it!

"The fight for 3rd place in 4-way Open was a different story all together. Going into the last round Carolina Turbo XP and the GK female team were tied, making it a 1-round meet. This is the stuff competitors wait for their entire career - one round, winner takes it all! Both teams laid it all out on the line, but with a fierce performance the Golden Knights took bronze by one point."