posted Aug 11th, 2017 - The host of the FAI World Cup 2017 is seriously challenged by the weather conditions. The window of four hours on Thursday was used efficiently with all fire power of the three Cessna Caravans in Saarlouis. However, the momentum was over again on Friday morning when the drop zone was covered by fog.

The forecast indicates that the jump planes will get back in the air later in the morning for another few hours and before more rainy weather will probably interfere once again.

It is very unfortunate that the interesting HayaBusa challenge by the French national team in 4-way Open, RealFly-Sion, will not go over all ten rounds and offer the Belgian world champions a serious outdoor experience before the USPA Nationals. The confrontation with Arizona Airspeed is coming up next for HayaBusa.

There are several other battles in the 31-team field that will be decided before completing ten rounds. ISR FireFlash (Belgium), Barguzin (Russia) and Papea (Spain) are tied in 8th place, and the Swiss Airheads want the last spot in the Top 10, as well. Three more teams are tied right behind, and there are more close battles on other parts of the leaderboard after Round 4.

The NSL News went on a new DZ tour in the morning when the teams got their stand-by call first thing after arrival, and the coffee shop was one of the most popular places.

Joey Jones had a few updates, and the NSL-TV camera also found the UK delegation split up into two different groups. Both 8-way teams (Awkward Turtles - Ride the Dragon) were discussing the Friday agenda and eventually followed up with some jump preparations, as well. They are tied in 5th place, and each round could be the last one. Chimera is winning the British 4-way competition so far.

The NSL News also features the first 8-way videos of the Golden Knights and the Russian Tanay team. The Golden Knights are competing in their own league, while Tanay is ready to post the team's first 20+ average.

The NSL News mentioned earlier that Golden Knights videographer Scott Janise is also back to Saarlouis where he attended his first international competition with the Golden Knights in 4-way Women in 2011. He was not planning to jump this time and now put his camera helmet back on, as Joe Bradshaw has to sit on the bench with a cold. Scooter might film the team's first 24+ average in Saarlouis...

FAI World Cup 2017			1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	Total	Avg
Rank	8-way Open		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
1	Golden Knights	US	24	24	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	48	24.0
2	Tanay	RU	22	20	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	42	21.0
3	Fly-In Machine 44	BE	19	20	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	39	19.5
4	VR8 France	FR	17	19	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	36	18.0
5	Project: Ride the Dragon	UK	6	9	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	15	7.5
5	Awkward Turtles	UK	7	8	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	15	7.5