posted May 30th, 2010 - The British Parachute Association (BPA) has a new representative for Formation Skydiving. Richard Head continues the great work that Martin Soulsby and Andy Scott have been doing for the sport in the past years.

Richard "Tricky" Head has been and is still an active 4-way competitor as a member of UK team Phobia. The NSL News has covered the team's consistent progression through the competition classes on a regular basis.

Phobia was formed in 2006 and started 4-way competition in the Rookie Class. Richard and Laura Head are original members of 2006. The team arrived in the AAA Class competition in 2009, and Richard Head and Laura Batterbee got married last year.

The Heads and third original member Graham Wilkins started the Phobia 2010 season at the World Challenge 2010 with a new member in the Tail slot, Paul Dorward. Richard Head added the BPA work to his skydiving agenda.

He will be very satisfied to see that the 2010 season began with record participation for the United Kingdom Skydiving League. The UKSL May meets in 2008 and 2009 (22 teams each) had significantly higher participation compared to May meets of previous years (4 in 2005, 7 in 2007). The 26 teams on May 22nd this year set a new UKSL record.

His own team Phobia did not attend the meet in Netheravon, and Baby Blonds member Victoria Bradley provided the meet report. Richard Head was sad to have missed the meet: "Sounds like it was a good meet - the first competition I haven't been to for five years!"

UKSL May Meet – Netheravon 22nd May

Meet report written by Victoria Bradley

So the first UKSL competition has been and gone and what an exiting competition it was!

Firstly, though I should say what an amazing host Netheravon DZ was. The event ran extremely smoothly and the staff at Nethers couldn't have been more helpful. From efficient kit and docs checks to informative DZ briefs ("...if you land off and find yourself drowning, stand up because you're in the River Avon and it's only 3 feet deep...") – they were awesome. A particular thank you to Caroline on manifest who managed to make every PA announcement sound upbeat even after 12 hours!

The competition was completed in one very long and very hot day, but all the teams remained in good spirits and got on with the job in hand (partially due to the amazing coffee provided by Ian from Café Guate and his amazing coffee bus!). I also should say thank you, on behalf of the skydivers, for the wonderful BBQ that was put on at the end of the day – although walking past the delicious smells of burgers and bangers to get on the last load of the day to complete our 6th jump was tantamount to torture!

25 teams took part in the competition - the A Class being the most hotly contested with 12 teams competing. The Rookie Class had an impressive nine teams and AA and AAA both had two.

High Altitude Heroes took gold in the Rookie with a respectable 5.8 average. In the A Class Gra4ity swept the board winning every round by some margin ending with an impressive 13.8 average. Both RAFSPA teams did well in their categories with Typhoon finishing 2nd in the Rookie Class and Phoenix 4th in the A Class.

The AA Class saw a bravely fought competition between old rivals, Unagi and Slot Machines. With only two points between them after Round 3 the remaining three rounds counted for everything. Slot Machines put up a brave fight, but in the end Unagni took the gold by eight points over all.

In the AAA Class TLD4 and Heat both flew extremely well, and after taking points from each other throughout the whole day the category culminated in a jump-off. The final jump was shown on a split screen in the bar at the end of the day which was not only exciting but a great display of some really good skydiving.

Heat's assertive and determined style set against the disciplined and stylish TLD4 lead to really exciting viewing. The jump-off took place an hour after both teams had stopped jumping. One of the TLD4 members had even packed away stuff in the car and thought they were subject of a wind up when told there was a jump off! It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings, Cliffy...

Due to the rules of the competition both teams had to manifest for the jump-off despite the fact that Heat had graciously stepped down to avoid this. TLD4 took the opportunity to use the jump for training and walked away with gold in the team's first competition.

All in all it was a brilliant day: well managed, loads of fun, highly caffeinated, and most importantly safe. I believe there was only one cutaway and no injuries, unless you count sunburn. The meet gods were certainly smiling on Nethers that day.

Not bad for 750 descents – testament to Netheravon’s approach to safety, as well as the general attitude of all the skydivers involved in the competition. Well done everyone. The next UKSL meet is at Cark on 12th June – see you there.