posted Aug 7th, 2017 - The last training day before the first competition round of the FAI World Cup 2017 had once again a beautiful summer weather, and the teams were easily able to complete any planned warmup agenda.

In fact, the activities slowed down significantly in the afternoon when teams took longer breaks before the competition draw takes place in the later afternoon.

The four Formation Skydiving leaderboards are accurate and ready to be filled with numbers after the latest updates today.

The participation is significantly increasing compared to the previous FAI World Cup 2015 in Teuge, Netherlands, where 20 teams competed in 4-way Open, four in 4-way Women, six in 8-way Open and six in VFS.

The number of teams in 8-way and VFS are exactly the same as in Teuge 2015, while 31 teams are ready to go in the 4-way Open Class competition tomorrow morning. Additional seven teams are on the separate leaderboard in 4-way Women.

The world cup in Saarlouis is also the first one since 1998 with US participation in 4-way Open when the event did not take place on US home turf. Four US teams had traveled to Portugal in 1998 (SC FX, Golden Knights, Passion 4, Storm) and then never again until today. SDC Rhythm XP and bUSA Defiance represent the USA in 4-way Open this time.

The US delegation has more to offer. The Golden Knights are the top favorite in 8-way as the reigning world champions, and SDC Core has the same power position in VFS. The vertical team of the Golden Knights, with former 8-way member Jeshua Stahler in the lineup, is also competing in Saarlouis.

The quieter atmosphere at the dropzone in the afternoon offered the opportunity for a DZ tour, with the NSL-TV camera filming the facilities and meeting and greeting people on the way.

The first video clip though features a view from the eagle's eye. Event photographer Elmar Guertler is operating a drone whenever there is enough time for it. His video clip provides an overview from a new perspective that the NSL-TV camera cannot offer. However, the NSL News followed up today with a more traditional DZ tour.

The drone recorded without any interruptions, while there were some stopping points for the NSL-TV camera on the ground. British 4-way team Antimatter and coach John McIver were in the final preparations for a training jump, and they did not have enough time to help sorting out the British delegation.

Russia's vice-president and videographer Vadim "Jos" Niyazov and Black Cat/Tanay member Valentin Ilin on the other hand had comprehensive updates for the NSL News which still need translation for the audience without knowledge of the Russian language.

Weembi Lille member Roy Janssen promised to join the next NSL-TV Coaches Corner while he was finishing up his coaching work with Flyspot Sky4Four from Poland. Andreea Pistea, TNT member from Romania, explained the team's colorful attire, and her team mate Simone Favat was in an Italian conversation with EX3mo member Placido Udine.

The DZ tour was complete after a few words with FAI media experts Susan Dixon and Fay Kimble in their office and Germany's skydiving federation president Henning Stumpp, who is also a very active 4-way and 8-way competitor.