posted Nov 13th, 2009 - The NSL News had mentioned the Virginia Tech team, VTSD, already a few times before Doug Barron (Outside Center), Joey Coffineau (Inside Center), Andrew Happick (Point), Ben Worrall (Tail) and James Sides (Camera) won the Intermediate Class 4-way competition at the 2009 USPA National Skydiving Championships.

The last story on 14 October 2009 included a live interview with the team and coach Jan Lane, which was recorded before the competition was over. In fact, the meet management was just working on the completion of Round 5.

There was still no doubt already by then that the very young team would walk away with the USPA gold medals. VTSD was already ten points ahead after Round 5. Eventually, it turned into a 16-point victory in the 33-team field after ten rounds. VTSD had won seven rounds, lost one and tied two others, with a 13.1 average.

The NSL News story on 12 October 2009 had already pointed out that VTSD was also the busiest competition team of the 2009 season. The combination of talent and meet experience brought the young lineup to the very top very quickly.

However, there is more behind the success of the team. The NSL News ran into the management of Skydive Carolina, VTSD's home dropzone in Chester, South Carolina, at the USPA Nationals. Teams and competitors of the Carolina Skydiving League had already reported to the NSL News over the years great things happening in Chester.

The NSL News used the opportunity to ask the dropzone management about some of the details of their involvement with teams. Owner Danny Smith and his wife Annette, and DZ Manager James La Barrie took a few minutes for a live interview with the NSL News.

Skydive Carolina cannot only take credit for the support of the winning team in the Intermediate Class, VTSD. The toughest competition, if there was any for the winner, came from another team that trains at the same place. Carolina Ice, with Pete Langehans, John Patten, Kyle Rice, Richard Travis and Kerri Pyne on camera, won the silver medals with an 11.5 average.

DZ owner Danny Smith has a very simple reason why he supports the teams and even travels with them to the national championship. He is a former Style and Accuracy competitor himself who turned late to Formation Skydiving competition and then competed locally and regionally in the Carolinas.

He never made it to the national championship though before an accident in the mid 90s stopped him from competing even more. Now he lives his own dream by watching his teams and competitors train, compete and succeed.

He traveled with one of his teams to a national championship for the first time when Carolina Ice competed in Lake Wales 2003. Carolina Ice placed 8th in the Intermediate Class with a 10.0 average by then. Pete Langehans, John Patten and Kyle Rice were already Ice members in 2003.

Danny Smith has not missed a national championship ever since and is a real fan of his teams. So is his wife Annette who feels the same way. Together they keep the home crowd in South Carolina up to date by blogging and communicating the excitement of their teams' progression in various ways.

In fact, they even brought their DZ Manager, James La Barrie, to take care of the technical part of their own news services while being on competition site.

James La Barrie draws a parallel to his former pro life in golfing. He said that golfing and skydiving operations have very much in common. There is one thing though that he enjoys the most: "People are leaving the place in a happy mood, that makes it more fun. It's a rewarding business."

He added that his respect and support of the teams and competitors have another good reason: "They are the ultimate amateur athletes and often spend $10,000 a year for their training and competition. They should be rewarded and feel the support of their home dropzone."

There is even more support from local team fans in Chester. Owner Danny Smith explained that the teams from Chester have traditionally received care packages with snacks, drinks and little gifts upon their arrival on competition site. A local supporter started this support service in 2003, and it still goes on.

VTSD and Carolina Ice will proudly present their gold and silver medals to the home crowd in Chester and then move on. Carolina Ice member Pete Langehans is already getting ready for his next trip to SkyQuest 2009 where he competes for the 100-way Falcon Team.

VTSD has to move up into the AAA Class competition in 2010 where the complete dive pool is waiting to be mastered. There is still some work to do on the way to becoming the 4-way world champions one day.

Danny + Annette Smith and James La Barrie are already back to take care of business at Skydive Carolina. They will continue to make life as easy as possible for the teams and competitors who train in Chester. Danny Smith will continue to live his own dream by supporting the teams who appreciate the efforts.