posted Feb 1st, 2002 - The NSL News takes a break from the recent coverage of the corona virus situation in many different ways. Several updates came from teams, competitors and officials in different parts of the skydiving world, and they will be continued very soon with a new update from the Czech Republic.

One of the most recent NSL Live Talk conversations came from the Coaches Corner on April 29th. Gary Smith and Joey Jones discussed the situation after the cancellation and rescheduling of the FAI Mondial Tanay 2020.

It was another coincidence that the next NSL News step back into the unpublished archives of the current SKYLEAGUE.COM website was an interview with Joey Jones, as well. He was an active DeLand Majik member at the time of the interview, which was published on 19 February 2002.

Some of the best teams in the 4-way world had just completed the ten meet rounds at the Valentine's Meet 2002 at Skydive Arizona. DeLand Majik did not make the trip to Eloy and waited for an even more attractive field of teams visiting a month later at the Shamrock Showdown on their home turf at Skydive DeLand.

Airspeed Vertical did make the trip across the United States and were facing a very strong home team who posted the 22+ average that Joey Jones forecasted during the interview. However, neither Airspeed Vertical nor DeLand Majik eventually won the USPA Nationals that year.

The Golden Knights Gold, who had competed at the Valentine's Meet in February, outscored both teams at the USPA Nationals 2002.

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Valentine's Meet 2002			1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8		9		10		Total	Avg
Rank	AAA Class		5,3,H		1,P,K,14		13,11,D		C,12,8		19,M,17		G,J,9,20		L,O,4,F		2,10,22		15,Q,18		16,7,A		Total	Avg
1	Airspeed Vertical	US	21		19		21		19		19	-2	25		28		16		19		24		211	21.1
2	Perris Maubeuge	FR	20		19		19		17		21		24		25		17		19		23		204	20.4
3	Golden Knights Gold	US	20		19		19		18		22		23		24		16		17		21		199	19.9
4	Airspeed Zulu	US	18		17		17		17		18		21	-2	0		13	-2	16		18		155	15.5
5	Golden Knights Black	US	15	-1	15		12		12		15		16	-1	15	-1	12		14		13	-3	139	13.9
6	Endeavor	CH	12		11	-1	10	-2	12		12		15		17		9	-2	13		15		126	12.6
7	AZ Inertia	US	10		11		11		7	-2	11		4	-2	12		9		9		11		95	9.5
8	AZ Delirium	US	7	-2	10		7	-1	8	-2	10	-1	9	-4	13		9		8	-1	13		94	9.4

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NSL News interview with Joes Jones in February 2002

NSL News: Joey, the Valentines Meet is over and Majik wasn't there, why not?

Joey Jones: With training commitments, commitments to the DZ and financial considerations, it was difficult to make it happen. We wanted to go compete with them, since some of the best teams were there. But at this time we only have 190 jumps. We'll have more by the time of the "Shamrock Showdown" (March 16, FSL 3 at Skydive DeLand), and that will be the time for the unveiling of the Majik.

NSL News: No doubt, you want to win the nationals this year and the World Championship in 2003?

Joey Jones: I think every team out there wants to win the nationals and the world meet next year. Best thing is only one team can do it.

NSL News: Were the results in Eloy as expected?

Joey Jones: As far as Airspeed, definitely. They only had one bust and won eight of ten rounds. That's a pretty commanding victory over the Golden Knights. No one knew about France this year. However, they are right in the ballpark with their 20.4 meet average. I expected the Golden Knights to do better, I was sure they would be a little better at this point.

NSL News: How was the draw?

Joey Jones: I don't think it was terribly fast, three randoms and two blocks didn't not get drawn, long blocks out the door slowed it down.

NSL News: The top teams are training hard and consistently. It still looks as if the scores begin leveling out around a 21.0 average.

Joey Jones: Yes, I haven't seen much above the 21 mark. With the pool being changed I do feel it's been made faster. Piver - Viper (the new Block 20) has proved to be truly fast for us. Teams should be closer to each other. But at these speeds, the point average is a lot more about the draw. I think there is a 22-point average out there to be had, and I expect someone will push it this year. Every team has about 600 jumps ahead of them this year. And Airspeed had a 21 with a slow draw. Airspeed can see a 22-point average. It's there. And we see it in ourselves.

NSL News: How far will Airspeed Zulu get this year?

Joey Jones: They were two to four points behind the Golden Knights on every jump. If they can get themselves into the 19s and 20s it would be good for them. Having coached Eliana with her women's team, I'm very aware of her skills and confidence. She will not be holding the team back. We will see if they will compete for a medal position; it's still a building year for Zulu.

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Shamrock Showdown 2002			1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Total	Avg
Rank	AAA Class		12,H,2	J,L,G,D,P	6,Q,C,B	K,N,7,16	F,A,14,M	5,13,15	18,3,10	9,19,18	17,4,22	11,O,21	Total	Avg
1	DeLand Majik	US	19	34	31	23	22	20	17	21	18	21	226	22.6
2	Airspeed Vertical	US	19	34	28	24	23	19	17	19	19	21	223	22.3
3	Sebastian XL	UK	17	27	22	20	23	16	14	17	17	18	191	19.1
4	Sinapsi PD	IT	14	27	18	21	21	14	14	17	15	17	178	17.8
5	Punky Fish	NL	14	24	21	16	17	13	11	14	13	13	156	15.6
6	Phenix	SE	14	19	19	17	17	11	13	6	14	14	144	14.4
7	Blue Eye Majik	US	11	23	14	19	14	10	11	14	12	14	142	14.2
8	Space Center Teiwaz	US	12	18	18	12	10	13	11	14	9	15	132	13.2
9	Jetstream	US	11	15	15	13	13	10	11	12	11	11	122	12.2
10	Superfly	US	11	15	12	11	10	9	10	11	7	11	107	10.7
11	TBD	US	5	14	9	9	12	8	4	10	9	8	88	8.8

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NSL News: Did you know that the France Perris-Maubeuge members are planning to win the 4-way and the 8-way gold medal next year?

Joey Jones: Yes, I heard. If you want to be in two events at the world championship, it's a tall order. They will have the home field advantage, it will be slightly easier for them than it was for Airspeed, especially with the competition that we will be sending over there. But their scores are showing them behind Airspeed in 4-way at this point. At the World Air Games, Airspeed showed fatigue in the last few rounds. If they had been there strictly for 4-way, they would have had a more commanding victory.

NSL News: Will it be more difficult for France in 4-way or in 8-way?

Joey Jones: 8-way in the USA is totally up in the air based on the scores at the Valentine's Meet. Anyone can throw 100 jumps together and be competitive. Based on that fact, we don't know who's going to win and how it's going to shake down. The combinations are too great. But I'm sure the best 4-way team the USA has ever sent is going to come this year. And that is why it will be tougher to win the 4-way event. But 8-way will not be easy. I can't see the US not sending a strong 8-way team. I'm sure we'll send a strong team.

NSL News: Do you think the French plan has a chance for success?

Joey Jones: I think so. Unfortunately, all of the top competitors are focused on 4-way. Airspeed Zulu is in a building year. And Airspeed Vertical is looking at the toughest competition between the Golden Knights and Majik. No one will put efforts into 8-way until after the Nationals.

NSL News: What about Russia in 8-way?

Joey Jones: We did a few jumps, good jumps, while they were training here. Most are playing player/coach gigs. They are planning an 8-way team, but not the best skydivers - the richest skydivers in Russia.

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USPA Nationals 2002		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Total	Avg
Rank	4-way Open	B,12,2	K,6,4	20,5,13	D,Q,11,18	N,3,9	A,21,16	22,H,L,J	G,C,7,15	E,19,17	10,P,M,8	Total	Avg
1	Golden Knights	19	21	19	21	29	22	23	23	22	19	218	21.8
2	Arizona Airspeed	19	22	18	21	26	22	22	21	23	21	215	21.5
3	DeLand Majik	19	19	20	20	24	22	23	24	22	19	212	21.2
4	Golden Knights Black	15	17	16	17	20	17	20	20	19	16	177	17.7
5	Airspeed Zulu	17	18	14	17	22	15	18	17	17	16	171	17.1
6	Cross Keys Fluid	16	16	13	15	18	16	15	13	15	15	152	15.2
7	DeLand Frost	15	16	12	13	17	15	17	17	14	13	149	14.9
8	Ranch Tribe	14	14	13	13	17	11	16	10	15	13	136	13.6
9	Elsinore Adrenaline	13	13	12	13	16	11	15	13	15	13	134	13.4
10	Synchronicity	12	12	10	12	17	13	13	15	12	12	128	12.8
11	Untrained Eye	12	12	11	13	14	10	11	9	12	11	115	11.5
12	Team Kruegeraand	8	8	6	5	6	7	6	7	8	5	66	6.6

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NSL News: It would be first time for France to win in 8-way.

Joey Jones: I would be nice, just as it was nice to see Russia win last year. Even if I end up doing 8-way, it would be nice to see them win. I will do everything in my power to prevent that, but at the end of the day - if they are better...

NSL News: The U.S. Nationals in September are on neutral ground, how many jumps is Majik planning on making before then?

Joey Jones: We are definitely looking forward to Chicago. There is a ton of great stuff that Roger has done, and I'm excited to see someone else put on the nationals. With all the political stuff aside and wanting to have them in the desert every year, I'm all for going and seeing how another DZ is run. We are crazy busy in April, then we have two weeks in May, two weeks in June, basically two on and two off until the Nationals. So we'll probably do about 550 jumps.

NSL News: What are you expecting for the FSL meet in March with the Golden Knights, Airspeed, and Sebastian XL?

Joey Jones: We've been watching the scores at SSL and monitoring the teams. Our weak area is our exits and timing. We will hit the exits hard in March. As far as the skydiving, we are there. Once we get the exits sorted out, the team expects to win.

NSL News: Thank you, Joey.