posted Sep 10th, 2009 - Alena Chistova competed with the Russia 8-way team Crystal Contour at the FAI World Cup 2009 last week in the Czech Republic. Her team won the bronze medals, and the NSL News covered the 8-way situation with the story on 4 September 2009.

She also competed with the Russian 4-way team Contour throughout the 2009 season and with other 4-way teams in the past.

She also was a member of the Russian 8-way team Evolution Pro and won a bronze medal for Russia with an 18.6 average at the World Meet 2004 in Croatia. A bronze medal at the World Cup 2005 followed and another 3rd place finish with Evolution Pro at the World Meet 2006 in Germany.

Alena Chistova has always enjoyed training in the wind tunnel, and she has plenty of opportunity now. She recently accepted a position in the management of the Freezone wind tunnel near Moscow, a 12-footer only so far. Freezone is now just in the final stages of completing a 16-footer right next door, as Alena Chistova told the NSL News in Prostejov.

The tunnel is expected to open this year, and the NSL News will follow up with more information.

Alena Chistova also told the NSL News about a 2-way, 4-way and 10-way Formation Skydiving competition at the end of September. The Russian federation has sanctioned the event, according to her information, and an organizing committee from the STRIZH aviation club in the Dagestan Republic (Makhachkala) is in charge of the logistics.

It is a money meet with a total purse of $50,000. The winners in each event receive $1,100 per person, competitors in 2nd places get $700 per person, and a 3rd place brings $500 to each team member. This system divides the total jackpot proportional between the three FS events.

The competition is scheduled for September 23 - 27. The low entry fees include transportation from Moscow to Dagestan, accommodation at the competition site and cultural programs. Alena Chistova provides more information by e-mail.

Several Russian 4-way teams have already registered for the competition. 25 teams will compete in the 2-way competition, eight teams have signed up for the 4-way meet, plus five 10-way teams. The field of the 4-way teams includes Black Cat and Skylight Barkli who already battled with each other at the FAI World Cup 2009.

Alena Chistova reported that 4-way teams from Ukraine, Belarus and Tatarstan will also compete at this money meet at the end of the month. She said that Hayabusa Defence had shown interest, as well, but she has not received a confirmation from Belgium yet.