posted Aug 7th, 2017 - The competition draw has been posted, and it seems to be promising scores and averages on the higher side.

The first ten rounds include all 16 random formations, while the additional sequence for a jump-off round has three blocks, and two of them are slot switchers. Teams may have an opportunity to finish with new record averages at the most relevant international outdoor competition of the year.

Jump-off rounds are only in the rules for teams in the medal rankings, which keeps the majority of the teams away from the slower Round 11. It is also very unusual that the complete dive pool is exhausted after eleven rounds. The world cup draw has all 16 random formations in the first ten rounds, mixed up with 19 blocks. The remaining three blocks are reserved for the sequence in Round 11.

Last and not least, it is also the first time that all four categories of Formation Skydiving competition are using the same competition draw. This could only be done only for 4-way Open, 4-way Women and 8-way Open in the past.

FAI World Cup 2017	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	Total	Avg
Draw	L,O,F,K,11	C,3,7	13,2,G	1,17,20	5,E,21	6,8,A	D,4,P,22	M,10,J,B	18,H,N,9	Q,15,14	12,16,19	Total	Avg

The IPC changed the VFS dive pool and rules after the FAI Mondial 2016 where VFS teams performed only eight rounds for the last time. The VFS dive pool now consists of 16 random formations and 22 blocks, as well, and the numbers and letters are identical. Teams and judges have to spend significantly less time for the draw procedure.

As usual, the teams and coaches went straight to engineering and jump preparations in all categories after the draw. Teams with double duties will have to be ready for rounds in both events. The 4-way teams will begin at 9.00 AM in the morning in both categories (Women, Open), and the VFS and 8-way teams have to be ready at 11.00 AM.

There are quite a few teams who could get under pressure and may have to stay the whole day on alert for competition rounds in 4-way and 8-way both. In fact, only the members of the Golden Knights and the French 8-way team are not competing in 4-way at the same time.

The other four 8-way teams have all planned for double duties throughout the whole competition.

Expecting a busy team agenda, the NSL News used an earlier opportunity for a new NSL Live Talk. Joey Jones conducted a conversation with NMP PCH HayaBusa member David Grauwels, his former team mate and AtomiX YUU coach Luc Verstrepen and Golden Knights alternate Kurt Isenbarger.

There was a specific topic, as well, besides the usual updates of recent events and activities in Saarlouis.

Luc Verstrepen was planning to travel to Germany and guide AtomiX YUU through the first competition with new team member Mark Zimmermann. He was on his way when he received an emergency phone call from his HayaBusa friends who asked him to turn around and bring his skydiving gear, as well.

HayaBusa's former inside center Sven Ibens will not be available on Friday for reasons that David Grauwels explained during the interview. Fly-In Machine 44 and ISR FireFlash will need a substitute in 8-way and 4-way. Luc Verstrepen turned around, got his gear and made it to Saarlouis just in time to get ready for a training jump. He got the dive plan in the plane and had 15 minutes to visualize the sequence...