posted Dec 17th, 2009 - So, what now? You have just tried out for a slot that you really wanted, and you did not get it.

Two of the three candidates for the SDC Rhythm XP Tail slot were in that situation when they received the phone call from the team on Monday. Nick Grillet, Samer Haija and Thiago Muradas all knew that there was only one slot available. They jokingly plotted at Paraclete that they should form their own team and ask the Rhythm members to join them.

It turned out that Thiago Muradas was the chosen Tail. Nick Grillet and Samer Haija are back on the 4-way market for other team projects. However, this doesn't really count for Nick Grillet who already had other options before he traveled to Raeford last week.

Nick Grillet, who lives in DeLand, has already shuttled back and forth between Florida and California several times this year. He has been a member of Elsinore BTE (Melanie Curtis - Center Inside, Nick Grillet - Tail, Julia Herrmann - Point, Steve Simar - Center Outside, Meili Modini on camera) and mentioned several times how much he has enjoyed his time with the Elsinore team.

Elsinore BTE had a successful 2009 season after competing at three meets of the Southern California Skydiving League and the 2009 USPA National Skydiving Championships. The team improved performance and scoring level meet by meet (10.2 - 11.8 - 14.8) and finished with the best average of the 2009 season (15.1) in Texas.

Nick Grillet knew already before the Rhythm tryout that Elsinore BTE was also waiting for the results of his efforts in Raeford. He did not have any details of the west coast plans, however, the option was there, and it was also an attractive one.

It did not take long after the trip to Raeford and the official Rhythm announcement until Nick Grillet could update the NSL News with his new west coast plans. First of all, he complimented his tryout and travel partner Thiago Muradas for his performance:

"To be honest, I think it is the best choice. Thiago is very excited and I am very happy for him, as well."

Then he provided information of his own new team. Elsinore BTE will have a personnel change and a different name next year. The "Speedy Kids" will consist of three returning BTE members (Melanie Curtis - Point, Steve Simar - Center Outside, Nick Grillet - Tail). Lou Ascione will replace this year's Point Julia Herrmann and take the Center Inside slot.

Melanie Curtis, Steve Simar and Lou Ascione already know each other well. They trained and competed with Elsinore Gravity in 2006 and finished the season with a 16.6 average at the USPA Nationals. John Hamilton was the 4th team member. It was a frustrating experience at the USPA Nationals, as Gravity lost a total of 17 points due to video problems with the exits.

Nick Grillet said that the Speedy Kids will be more a tunnel than a jumping team. As many jumps as possible are on the outdoor agenda, however, the main portion of training will most likely be the planned 12 to 15 hours in the wind tunnel. Most of those flying sessions will probably be done at Paraclete XP.

Nick Grillet said that the team also plans a camp with indoor and outdoor training in Eloy.

Finally, he admitted that he is eager now to challenge SDC Rhythm XP with Thiago Muradas in the same Tail slot in 2010:

"We will be taking on Rhythm on their home turf in September at the USPA Nationals."

The Speedy Kids' 2010 meet season will begin with the FSL Shamrock Showdown 2010. Nick Grillet said that Steve Simar will not be able to make it to DeLand in March 2010. However, the rest of the team will be ready to challenge Rhythm for the first time, and the Speedy Kids have already been in contact with someone for the Center Outside slot.

Nick Grillet would not say who he has in mind for the slot: "I don't want to say yet who it is..."