posted Jan 21st, 2015 - The "stop watch poll" did not attract as much attention by the audience compared to other previous topics, such as the discussion whether it makes sense to change Block 10 (Diamond - Bunyip) or not. The current results also somehow reflect that it does not seem to matter much how the winner will be determined in the tie-breaking rules and procedures.

It could make a difference though, as the competition in 4-way Women at the World Cup 2013 demonstrated. The Golden Knights ended up in 2nd place after a jump-off with another tie, even though they had the faster completion of the last scoring formation in working time. The French Girls won the gold medals with the highest score in Round 2.

The Formation Skydiving committee of the International Parachuting Commission (IPC) will decide next week in Romania how ties will be broken in the future, while the Golden Knights continue with their preparations for the pursuit of gold medals at the World Meet 2016 in the USA.

The US Army team in 4-way Women did not have a longer break after the FAI World Championship of Formation Skydiving 2014, as they had it a year before due to military obligations after the end of the 2013 season. The Golden Knights came to the Paraclete XP Outdoor Championship 2014 with no outdoor training at all and finished far behind (21.6 - 18.8) the French Girls.

They were able to catch up during the 2014 season and ended up only ten points behind at the world meet in Prostejov. However, the slow start for the Golden Knights was probably one of the reasons why the French Girls still won the world meet without much trouble.

Golden Knights member Dannielle Woosley told the Sun Path Products NSL News that her team has a much better start into the 2015 season. The Golden Knights completed two indoor training camps in December with coach Solly Williams and have scheduled three weeks of outdoor training in January/February. The first results of the 2015 season will be very different compared to last year.

The Golden Knights also have the "Bedford Paraclete Showdown" on the spring agenda, including the trip across the ocean to the World Challenge 2015, together with coach Solly Williams this time.

The US Army's 4-way team competed at the World Challenge for the first time last year and were much closer to the French Girls (24.7 - 24.1) in April compared to the Paraclete indoor and outdoor meets a few weeks earlier. The new French lineup will be facing a much better prepared Golden Knights team this year.

Dannielle Woosley said that her team is watching the competition carefully to be up-to-date with current information at any time. The upcoming Wind Games doesn't have much competition in 4-way Women, however, the Golden Knights will still pay attention to the whole event.

World Meet 2014		Rd. 1	Rd. 2	Rd. 3	Rd. 4	Rd. 5	Rd. 6	Rd. 7	Rd. 8	Rd. 9	Rd. 10	Total	Avg
Rank	4-way Women	E,3,C,5	F,6,D,21	19,H,2	M,4,1	O,14,A,P	8,J,16	7,11,12	22,20,15	17,G,18	13,B,9	Total	Avg
1	French Girls (FR)	21(-2)	25	22	20(-1)	27	21	18	17	19	24	214	21.4
2	Golden Knights (US)	22	25	21	21	23(-2)	18(-1)	16(-1)	15	19	24	204	20.4

She also agreed with Andy Grauwels who said that it is important to be well prepared for the different techniques at indoor and outdoor events, including exits from planes and entry into the flying chamber. Her team will make sure that the timing of the scheduled indoor and outdoor meets will make sense and fits to the bigger plan.

The Golden Knights are going into their 5th year with the same lineup, but without an alternate. Jenny Espinosa is not available any longer, and the team decided to move on without a 5th member, while Scott Janise is still filming the team.

However, the team staff has been extended in a different way. The Golden Knights have been working with a team psychologist who assists coach Solly Williams with his work. The Sun Path Products NSL News plans to follow up with a visit at the upcoming outdoor training camp in Florida.