posted Jul 15th, 2005 - The first two rounds of the Southwest Skydiving League June meet on NSL-TV included competition jumps of Elsinore GT, one of the busiest 4-way teams over the years. EGT had a very slow start into the 2005 season caused by problems to complete the final line-up. However, the first 2005 meet was a great success for EGT with the highest meet average in the team's history. EGT placed second out of 11 AAA Class teams in Perris, and the 16.0 average after six rounds took the 4th position in the overall AAA Class rankings of 41 teams that weekend. Team captain Steve Miller provided additional information for an EGT update.

In what is likely a huge understatement, 2005 can only be defined as a rebuilding year for Elsinore GT. In its 4th year of existence and following an Advanced Class silver medal performance at the USPA Championship 2004, EGT lost four members during the off-season.

Brian VandeKrol moved to Arizona Directe, Josh Hall moved to Perris Fury, original EGT member John Craig decided to take a season off, and EGT videographer Jonathan Tagle became a member of the PD Factory Team. By February of 2005, founding EGT member and inside center Steve Miller had completely rebuilt the team with Robert "Bobby" May at Tail, Jon Martens at Outside Center, Eric Rushing at Point and Tagle on video when he was available.

Jon Martens flew Inside Center for USPA Advanced Class gold medalist Elsinore Adrenaline in 2004, while Eric Rushing was the Tail for USPA Intermediate Class silver medalist Tye Breakers. Taking 2004 off from 4-way, Robert May (AKA "Mr. Jade") flew Tail for Mr. Pink in 2003. Jon Martens and Robert May also formed the rear piece of 2001 USPA Intermediate Class champion Formula 4.

With the weather problems that have also plagued other weekend teams this season, EGT was not able to train much from February to April. Then, in early April, Eric Rushing left the team due to injury/illness. The call went out for a new fourth. Fortunately for EGT, this call was answered by Thomas Hughes who joined EGT as a player coach. Hughes followed in the footsteps of Shannon Pilcher and Ian Bobo (Hughes' DeLand Fire teammates) who served as co-player coaches for EGT in 2002.

The rebuilding did not stop there. With his PD Factory Team commitments growing, Tagle was available less often than it was originally anticipated. In addition, a planned back-up videographer tore his MCL in a skiing accident. EGT was now without a regular videographer, a problem which was recently solved when Clint Clawson committed to fill the video slot.

Adding insult to injury, or in this case, injury to injury, Steve Miller continued to be hampered by shoulder problems stemming from a surgery just after the 2002 season. These issues have resulted in him missing training jumps and various substitutes filling in. In total, EGT has had 17 different line-up combinations this season.

With Hughes finally on board and the weather improving, EGT's training has picked up, and the team is excited about the balance of the season. The new line-up with Jon Martens, Robert May, Thomas Hughes and Steve Miller completed 62 training jumps before the successful SSL June meet.

Unfortunately again, Hughes will not be available for EGT at the USPA Championship Nationals due to his commitment to Black Magick. However, former EGT member John Craig decided to celebrate a comeback at the right time. He will replace Thomas Hughes in the Point position at the September meet in Perris, and he will have big shoes to fill...