posted Aug 9th, 2017 - The 8-way teams have started with their 10-round competition at the FAI World Cup 2017, while the 4-way teams continue with more rounds on Wednesday.

All 4-way teams have completed two rounds, which was the minimum plan for the Wednesday schedule. Meet director Dr. Rainer "Exi" Hoenle called the 8-way teams to the boarding area in the afternoon when the weather conditions made it possible. There were several re-jumps in 4-way when teams had meteorological conditions that caused point deductions for non-judgeable formations or inters.

Four of the six 8-way teams have double duties in both events, and it will be challenging for them to catch up later with the teams that will complete additional rounds today. However, Exi has to use the jumpable weather as much as possible after losing a complete day. After completing a few rounds in 8-way the rankings will be official, and medals can be handed out.

In fact, it takes only one round for a complete meet, according to the current IPC rules, and all events will have accomplished this at the end of the day.

The beginning of the 8-way competition was a very unusual situation for Golden Knights member Kurt Isenbarger, who is one of the two official alternates in Saarlouis. It would be difficult to find an 8-way competition with the Golden Knights since the mid 90s, where Kurt Isenbarger would not be in the lineup.

There was a time when the US Army did not have an 8-way lineup and competed only in 4-way. However, he was also on the 4-way lineup, and as soon as the Golden Knights were back in 8-way Kurt Isenbarger would be back in the lineup at each competition.

He is not only the alternate now. Kurt Isenbarger is also the coach for the new 8-way lineup, which is a different situation compared to the Golden Knights lineups in the past. The team captain has always been the unofficial coach and leader, and there was no external coach. Sean Sweeney is the current team captain, and he is now following advice and order of his new coach.

The NSL-TV camera was in the landing area with Kurt Isenbarger when the new lineup landed from Round 1. He read the body language and knew that it was a good round, which was confirmed when he greeted the team. Jennifer Davidson also landed from her first 8-way competition jump and said that Round 1 still creates the worst and the best feelings for a competitor...