posted Dec 4th, 2009 - The NSL News reported on 4 November 2009 that Ben Liston and Brian Stephens, both former Mass Defiance members who competed with the Amphibious Attack Tigers and 8-way team Dallas Rogue at this year's USPA Nationals, were in the middle of organizing a new wind tunnel competition. The event is coming up this weekend, and Ben Liston updated the NSL News with more details.

A total of 28 teams have signed up, which brings the field close to the maximum capacity of 30 teams. Ben Liston also provided the lineups. Twelve teams will compete in the Rookie Class. 13 teams have signed up for a modified Intermediate Class competition, which applies all random formations and three additional blocks (7, 9, 14). The three Open Class teams will use all random formations, plus 12 of the blocks.

Former Mass Defiance member Jim Rees is the chief judge. He will be assisted by national USPA judge Butch Crook, as well as by Brian Stephens who is a regional judge, as well. Brian Smith, another national USPA judge, will help if Jim Rees and Butch Crook will not be able to keep up with the 220+ flights they'll be judging on Saturday.

Ben Liston said that he is trying something new with the Rookie Class participants this year. He will pair two Rookie Class competitors with two seasoned competitors who will serve as player coaches. He thinks that it will be safer this way than running a separate 2-way Rookie Class event:

"The player coaches will be able to guide them and provide a solid base in the air - and also because I think that they will get more out of learning the basics of 4-way than simply doing 2-ways on their own."

The player coaches are some of the best Formation Skydiving competitors in the northeast and include members of Mass Defiance, Ranch Fallout, and Centerline. Other notable player coaches are Jim "Bu" Klinge and Ari Perelman from Florida, Scott Latinis from Texas and Paul Leslie-Smith, who was on the South African national 4-way and 8-way teams for a number of years.

Ben Liston added that he also feels fortunate to have other local jumpers (Chris Civie, Hollie Reno, Mario Mauro) teaming up with local jumpers from their home DZs.

They will also be serving as player coaches for their lineups and provide guidance for the Rookie Class teams before they compete with their own Intermediate Class lineups.

The AAA Class dive pool is expanded compared to the first tunnel competition at SkyVenture New Hampshire. It now includes some blocks that are normally not attempted in the 12-foot tunnels, Ben Liston said. The AAA Class blocks include 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, and 22. He also considered blocks 10, 12, and 18 but decided to hold off on those. He may add them to the draw next year.

Ben Liston said that the Freeflying event, organized by Ari Perelman, has also great participation this year:

"We're excited to have 90 plus FS competitors participating and 28 teams registered. Two teams dropped out last minute, and we may end up filling those slots, as well. Registration is up to 15 teams for Ari Perelman's 2-way VFS event that is scheduled for Sunday. Some FS competitors are also participating in this event.

"We were also lucky enough to get support from the following manufactures and businesses: Performance Designs, United Parachute Technologies, Liquid Sky Jumpsuits, SkySystems USA, Sunpath, Bev Suits, Sunpath Products, Ouragon Suits, Parachute Equipment Corp., Krupps Googles, the Radisson Hotel of Nashua, and Skydive Pepperell. There was so much support that I'm probably forgetting one or two more...