posted May 14th, 2010 - The fierce battle for the top spots at the World Challenge 2010 has been covered extensively by the NSL News, live on competition site and with several reviews, and NMP-PCH Hayabusa's part of it is well known by now.

In fact, the Belgian national 4-way team received a lot of attention earlier this year, as well. Hayabusa competed first at the Dubai Championship 2010 in January and then at the FSL Shamrock Showdown 2010 in March.

The results of those events are well known, as well. Hayabusa ended up behind Arizona Airspeed (22.6 - 23.3) in Dubai and then behind Aerodyne Cypres Maubeuge (22.3 - 24.4) in DeLand. The final results at the World Challenge 2010 looked much better for Hayabusa compared to the earlier events this year. The Belgian world class team defeated Airspeed (30.1 - 29.6) for the first time since Hayabusa was founded in 2003, and France was only four points (30.5 - 30.1) ahead of Hayabusa after the ten rounds in Bedford.

NMP-PCH Hayabusa at the World Challenge 2010

The Road to Russia

David Grauwels, Andy Grauwels, Roy Janssen, Waedong So and videographer Danny Jacobs have followed up on their goal to attend more competitions this year after competing only at the CISM championships and the World Cup in Prostejov last year. The World Challenge was the team's 3rd meet in 2010, and the results were very encouraging.

A closer look at the Hayabusa progression between 2003 and 2010 shows that the scores at the World Challenge events between 2006 and 2010 (20.6 - 24.7 - 25.4 - 27.5 - 30.1) reflect the team's upswing in a much better light compared to the outdoor scores.

The challenge for Hayabusa is to follow up on the results of the World Challenge 2010 with outdoor scores at the World Championship of Formation Skydiving 2010. The Hayabusa members will surely do everything that it takes to be ready at the right time in Russia, however, there is an obstacle that they have to deal with.

NMP-PCH Hayabusa at the CISM 2009

Hayabusa has the military commitment to the Belgian army, which does not only bring advantages. NMP-PCH Hayabusa has to represent Belgium at the military CISM championships (Conseil International du Sport Militaire) and defend the gold medals of 2007, 2008 and 2009.

The NSL News found the video of two Hayabusa competition jumps at last year's CISM championship in Lucenec, Slovakia, which can be reviewed once again. This year's military championhip takes place in Switzerland, and the timing is critical for Hayabusa.

The first competition jumps at the World Championship of Formation Skydiving 2010 in Menzelinsk, Russia, are scheduled for August 1. Hayabusa cannot leave Switzerland before July 25, as the CISM award ceremony is scheduled for July 24. The defending and doubtlessly new CISM champion will not be allowed to leave without attending the award ceremony.

This timing puts a lot of pressure on the Belgian national team. The rules for the CISM competition are different, as the dive pool is much easier and each sequence begins with a Star. Exit and subterminal maneuvers are not really a part of the competition.

Hayabusa will have to switch the mode back to AAA/Open Class competition, and it would be helpful to have a few days to get ready for the much more challenging competition at the World Meet in Russia. But there is not much time at all for the top contenders from Belgium.

The trip from Switzerland on July 25 to the competition site in Menzelinsk will take some time, and the Hayabusa members will probably not be able to spend any time at home before going to Russia. Arrival, accommodation and registration in Menzelinsk will take additonal time. It seems as if there will be not much time for Hayabusa to make a few training jumps and get a rest before the meet begins. It will be a challenging start for the Belgian team at the World Meet.