posted Dec 21st, 2015 - The breaking news of SDC Rhythm XP's 2016 lineup, which was posted by the Sun Path Products NSL News yesterday, is not the end of updates related to the top level of 4-way competition in the United States.

The live streaming broadcast from the Clash of Champions 2015 included a conversation between Arizona Airspeed's Thomas Hughes and NMP PCH Hayabusa's David Grauwels, when the main anchors Regan Tetlow and Ged Parker both were not in Inflight Dubai's TV studio.

Thomas Hughes and David Grauwels commented the live judging of the 4-way Speed Battle and talked about team topics when there was extra time. Thomas Hughes mentioned in this conversation that he is planning to step back from active 4-way training and competition with Arizona Airspeed after the Mondial 2016.

Rank	4-way World Outdoor Rankings	Country	Averages	Best 3
1	Arizona Airspeed	US	27.8 - 25.6 - 26.5	26.6
2	NMP-PCH Hayabusa	BE	25.7 - 25.0 - 26.9	25.9
3	SDC Rhythm XP	US	24.5 - 23.6	24.1

The news that SDC Rhythm XP's 2013 - 2015 members Christy Frikken and Mikhail Markine are not coming back for the 2016 season is directly related to the Airspeed plans, as well. Outside Center Thomas Hughes, Airspeed 4-way world champion of 2012, has to be replaced, and his three returning team mates after the Mondial 2016 began early with the recruiting of a new Airspeed member.

It is not new that the US top team looks first at the closest teams behind the leader to find adequate substitutes for open slots. Mark Kirkby asked Perris Fury member Josh Hall to join the team when he re-built Airspeed's 4-way lineup after the World Meet 2010 in Menzelinsk, together with Thomas Hughes and Niklas Hemlin.

Airspeed then needed two new members after winning the 4-way gold medals in Dubai 2012, when only Mark Kirkby and Thomas Hughes continued. SDC Rhythm XP members Thiago Gomes and Chris Farina were the two top candidates, and both agreed to move to Arizona in 2013.

Airspeed's lineup changed again after the World Meet 2014 in Prostejov when Mark Kirkby left the active Airspeed lineup. This time, Thomas Hughes, Thiago Gomes and Chris Farina did not have to recruit a new member, as Airspeed alternate Niklas Hemlin was ready to re-join the active lineup for the next two years.

The situation at the end of the 2016 season and after Thomas Hughes' retirement is different, and Airspeed will need a new team member. Once again, an SDC Rhythm XP member was the top candidate, and Mikhail Markine accepted the Airspeed invitation.

JaNette and Steve Lefkowitz reacted as quickly as Airspeed and recruited early to re-build their own lineup. The new Rhythm lineup will have a whole year to prepare for the new race for the US top spot that begins when Thomas Hughes steps back and Mikhail Markine becomes the new Airspeed member. Thomas Hughes will continue as the team's alternate and with his coaching services.