posted Sep 8th, 2018 - The 4-way AA/Intermediate Class competition of the USPA Nationals 2018 was in full swing this morning and then came to a halt after Round 2. The winds that keep the area clear of the threatening weather system south of Illinois became too strong, and the teams are on a weather hold.

The first video clip of the NSL News coverage is featuring the competition draw on Friday evening, where 32 teams were introduced in their starting order.

The second NSL Reality TV clip was recorded this morning when the teams were ready for their first round, which was scheduled for a 6:15 am take-off. A high ceiling allowed the 4-way teams to get to their jump altitude, and two rounds could be completed before the increasing wind speed changed the situation.

Seven of the Top 10 teams in the NSL Power Rankings have placed themselves in the Top 10 spots after the first two rounds, and DMS Freakz on Couches are lurking right behind, tied in 11th place. The expected battle for the USPA medals began in Round 1, and the tight top of the leaderboard promises exciting competition, even with great potential for a jump-off at the end.

USPA Nationals 2018		1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8		9		10		11		Total	Avg
Rank	Intermediate Class	15,7		A,E,Q,M		11,9		1,22		J,P,F,8		2,20		13,O,K		B,D,6		4,G,14		21,N,19		C,L,H,18		Total	Avg
1	SDMW X	10	-1	26		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		36	18.0
2	SDC Rhevolution XP	13		22		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		35	17.5
3	TSC Cadence	11		23		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		34	17.0
4	Hands Free	11		22	-2	-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		33	16.5
5	Cali4nia Kids	11		21		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		32	16.0
6	Platinum XP	10		20		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		30	15.0
7	Spaceland Toxic	9		19		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		28	14.0
8	Carolina Ice XP	9		18		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		27	13.5
9	The Mostly Asians	9	-1	17	-1	-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		26	13.0

The leader after Round 2 is a new lineup of Midwest competitors from Skydive Midwest, while the next six teams have a recent scoring history. Carolina Ice XP in 8th place is actually one of the longest standing 4-way teams in the country and goes back to the 2004 season in the NSL News records.

Rank	AA/Intermediate Class Power Rankings		Averages	Best
1	SDC Rhevolution XP	Midwest	11.2 - 11.4 - 13.7	13.7
2	TSC Cadence	Carolina	13.6	13.6
3	Spaceland Toxic	Texas	11.5	11.5
4	Platinum XP	Carolina	11.3	11.3
5	Freaks on Couches	Midwest	8.7 - 8.4 - 10.4	10.4
6	JEWL	N. California	10.3	10.3
7	Hands Free	Midwest	10.2	10.2
8	Toxic Heveh	Texas	9.9	9.9
9	Tail Spin XP	Carolina	9.6	9.6
10	Carolina Airspeed	Carolina	9.0	9.0

Four of the Top 10 teams are from the Midwest area, and four others from the Carolinas. The Cali4nia Kids in 5th place have a scoring history, as well. The same lineup has competed under JEWL and 2Pairs in Northern California this year. Jessica Lee and Ethan DeLano won USPA Intermediate Class silver medals in Perris last year.

The new team, SDMW X, made a strong statement in Round 2 with the 26-pointer highscore. It was a AA Class Super Sequence with four random formations, which generated the highest score of the meet. It is very unlikely that any other round will be faster, and SDMW X has secured a solid position for a potential tie at the end of the meet.

An earlier conclusion with less than ten rounds and a tie for the USPA medals would secure any medal position for SDMW X with the highest score of the meet. All other teams have to place ahead of the Midwest team to avoid the tie-breaking procedure or win the extra round if there is a tie after Round 10.

Another tie in a potential jump-off would also secure the winning position for SDMW X in any of the battles for USPA Intermediate Class medal rankings. The game is on...