posted Nov 21st, 2019 - News updates keep coming from Arizona. This time, Airspeed published an official statement that announced the results of the tryout and selection process that the world cup champions of 2019 had initiated when Ari Perelman did not continue after the FAI Indoor World Meet in April at Weembi Lille.

Niklas Hemlin and Mikhail Markine knew that they would also have to replace Thiago Gomes after the FAI Outdoor World Cup in October, who had a commitment only until the end of the 2019 season. Team videographer David French was ready to continue for a longer time period with Niklas Hemlin and Mikhail Markine.

Former Golden Knights member Matt Davidson stepped in for Ari Perelman, and the new lineup almost won at the USPA Nationals after only three months of training with the new member in the point slot. However, SDC Rhythm XP peaked at the right time and won after the jump-off drama at Skydive Paraclete XP in September.

The additional training after the nationals and before the world cup was then enough for Airspeed to win the FAI gold medals on home turf in Eloy.

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USPA Nationals 2019			1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8		9		10		11		Total	Avg
Rank	4-way Open Class		7,C,H,P		J,21,20		O,3,11		B,2,K,E		8,Q,10		15,D,F,12		N,L,M,14		6,1,9		A,18,13		G,4,5		17,16,22		Total	Avg
1	NMP-PCH Hayabusa	BE	45	-1	24		27		37		21		25		34		25	-1	26	-1	25	-4	-		289	28.9
2	SDC Rhythm XP	US	41		22		21	-1	33		21		23		27		25		24		25		21	-1	262	26.2
3	Arizona Airspeed	US	40	-1	24		22	-2	32		19	-2	24		29		25		21	-2	26	-1	20	-2	262	26.2
4	Defiance	US	30	-1	21		15	-4	28		16		19		22	-3	21		18	-1	18	-1	-		208	20.8
5	Ranch 2nd Generation	US	26		19		19		24	-2	16	-1	17	-1	24		18	-1	19		19		-		201	20.1
6	Kinetix	AU	26		18		17		22		13	-1	17		18	-1	17		17		17		-		182	18.2
7	Lite XP	US	24	-1	17		17		22		15		17		20	-2	16	-1	14		17		-		179	17.9
8	No Name	US	22	-4	17		14		19	-2	12	-2	13		14	-3	15		14		16		-		156	15.6
9	Aviatrixx	US	21		14		13	-1	18	-1	12	-2	15		17	-1	14	-1	12		14		-		150	15.0
10	Perris Force	US	20		13	-1	14		18		11	-1	11		18	-1	13	-1	12		12	-1	-		142	14.2

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Niklas Hemlin and Mikhail Markine were in no hurry to look at all options for the new lineup. Matt Davidson had a commitment only until the world cup, even though he mentioned that he was considering to continue with Airspeed for a longer time period.

The two returning members eventually decided to continue with two new members for the longest possible time period, as they explained in the official statement.

Arizona Airspeed: "We've been busy this last month planning the future of Arizona Airspeed. Today we are happy to announce the results of our lengthy tryout process. We're announcing that Christopher Kuhlmann and Joey Marshall are joining Niklas Hemlin, Mikhail Markine and David French on video to form the new Arizona Airspeed 4-way lineup. Chris and Joey, formerly of Ranch 2nd Generation, are young, very talented, and super hungry. Our sights remain firmly on bringing the Ottley Sword back home to the United States - a monumental task. We choose this moment in time to rebuild for the long term. We believe that combining the unlimited potential of the new members with the knowledge, experience and tenacity of current members sets us up for the best chance for success. We thank Thiago Gomes as he retires from Airspeed after seven dedicated years of service. We also thank Matt Davidson who proved instrumental at US Nationals and the World Cup. Matt continues to be our teammate on Airspeed XP8. We have the people we need to thrive once again. With your support and encouragement we know that Airspeed will be back on top. Thank you and see you soon."

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Ranch 2nd Generation at the Paraclete XP Indoor Championship 2016 and at the Paraclete XP Summer Classic 2019

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The new Airspeed lineup adds two new 4-way competitors to the highest performance level in the United States. The NSL News has followed the two original Ranch 2nd Generation members from the very beginning of their extremely progressive competition career, together with their team mate Michelle Karamon.

R2G members Michelle Karamon, Jeana Billings and Christopher Kuhlmann were already selected for Paraclete's XP8 lineup, due to their talent, skills and potential. R2G point Joey Marshall was left with only 4-way training and competition. However, he was also one of the Airspeed candidates in the selection process, as the NSL News reported on November 10th.

Christopher Kuhlmann then had to make room for Matt Davidson in the XP8 lineup when the three Airspeed members joined the Paraclete 8-way team together. The new Airspeed 4-way lineup now reverses the situation for Christopher Kuhlmann and Matt Davidson, who makes room for the two young R2G members.

Niklas Hemlin could now go back to his inside center slot that won the world championship title for Airspeed's 2012 lineup. Christopher Kuhlmann (outside center) and Joey Marshall (point) have spent years as piece partners in R2G's front piece. The NSL News will follow up with the official slot assignments as soon as possible.