posted Jun 24th, 2016 - The first July weekend will feature the next international leaderboard after this weekend's competition at three different locations in the U.S.A. (Texas Shootout, Northern Plains, Southern Skydiving League). This year's Tomscat Trophy in the Netherlands, the Nordcup in Germany and the second outdoor meet of the Czech 4-way Cup will bring teams from three different countries together on the overall leaderboard.

Last year's Nordcup was one of the closest and most exciting events of the year, at least in Germany. The 4-way and 8-way veterans of Remscheid were challenged by a team of a new 4-way generation, AtomiX YUU-Skydive, and they saved a 1-point advantage over the finish line after eight rounds.

Things changed with an upset at the German Nationals 2015, where AtomiX won the silver medals behind Airbus Illertissen. AtomiX moved on and competed a week later for Germany at the FAI World Cup 2015, then at the World Air Games.

Nordcup 2015		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	Total	Avg
Rank	AAA Class	19,14,6	F,21,7	H,9,18	2,15,13	D,K,J,20	12,3,P	O,M,5,E	N,G,B,22	Total	Avg
1	Remscheid	13	18	17	12	18	14	20	16	128	16.0
2	AtomiX	14	17	15	13	19	14	23	12	127	15.9
3	Askania	8	12	9	6	9	9	8	9	70	8.8

AtomiX YUU is back with the same lineup this year, and the Nordcup 2016 takes place on the team's home turf in Itzehoe. Naturally, AtomiX is eager to turn the 1-point loss in 2015 into a victory this year. Then the tables will be turned not too much later at this year's national championships, when Remscheid will try to take back the runner-up position behind the national 4-way team Airbus.

Both teams will be well prepared after completing a good number of training jumps on both sides, while neither team has yet posted any competition scores this year.

However, AtomiX provided videos of several recent training jumps for the Sun Path Products NSL News, and the team seems to be in great shape after a slot change in 2016.

The Sun Path Products NSL News mentioned earlier that teams switch the exit slots sometimes for different reasons, and SDC Rhythm XP was the most prominent recent example for such a move.

The AtomiX rear piece (Peter Ingenhaag - Janine Tillenburg) gave their slots some thought and eventually decided to switch. Former Inside Center Peter Ingenhaag is significantly taller than his piece partner Janine Tillenburg, who needs less space for the Inside Center exits. He moved to the Tail slot at the beginning of the 2016 training.

The newest team member is now the driving AtomiX engine, and the videos are showing a confident and dynamic performance. Remscheid has to watch out once again this year...