posted Sep 9th, 2010 - On Tuesday Jo Hawley provided a preview of the ESL Championship 2010, which begins tomorrow on the island of Texel in the Netherlands.

The first competition jumps at the USPA Nationals 2010 are scheduled for Saturday. The start could be delayed by a day since the remnants of Hurricane Hermine and another weather front are heading towards Illinois. However, it is time for a preview of the US event, as well.

Arizona Airspeed will celebrate its farewell event for this lineup, as Eliana Rodriguez and Craig Girard are working on their Dubai plans for the near future. Airspeed had the team's best competition in the 4-year period at the World Championship of Formation Skydiving 2010, as the Airspeed members said after the event. It will be difficult to beat the performance in Russia. Of course, Airspeed would like to conclude this lineup's career with another USPA gold medal in 4-way.

World Meet 2010 in Menzelinsk - Arizona Airspeed

The question is how much Perris Fury will be able to interfere with Airspeed's plans for the USPA Nationals 2010. It seems like Fury will be the only serious top contender for Airspeed. There is still no sign that Spaceland Fource is coming back this year, and the Paraclete XP4 lineup has probably not had enough outdoor training to keep up with the defending USPA champions.

Perris Fury must be hungry for the next competition. It has been a slow meet season for last year's bronze medalists. FSL Shamrock Showdown 2010, World Challenge 2010 and Midway Battle were the three events that Fury attended this year. The last competition jump at the Midway Battle was on June 13, almost three months ago.

There could be an interesting competition for the USPA bronze medals in the 4-way Open Class beginning this weekend. The spot might be open for at least two teams depending on how strongly Paraclete XP4 will perform. XP4 member Kirk Verner will have to fend off the team that he has been coaching all year long. SDC Rhythm XP is probably ready to challenge their coach on home turf.

Last year's Advanced Class (AAA) winner, the SDC Furies, are not eligible to come back in the same category, even though the team's scores of 2010 have been lower compared to the winning score at the USPA Nationals 2009. USPA's Advanced Class winner is not allowed to defend the title for five years. The Furies will have to compete in the Open Class.

Silver medalist of 2009, Ranch Fallout, is coming back with the same lineup and has been training this year. Fallout would automatically become the top contender for this year's gold medals considering the absence of the Furies.

Teams from the Southern California Skydiving League (Perris HBall, Perris Jimani) also posted scores this year, which could bring them into contention for Advanced Class medals. Then there is last year's winner of the Intermediate Class (AA), Carolina Turbo XP, the young team that could end up on top of the next leaderboard a year later. Even Florida Skydiving League team Teiwaz might be able to be in the top mix with this weekend's lineup.

The Intermediate Class (AA) has also lost its 2009 champion VTSD, now Carolina Turbo XP. VTSD was far ahead of all other teams last year. This could be different this year, as no AA Class team has posted similar scores this year as VTSD did in 2009.

Spaceland Mamba posted a 13.6 average at the Dallas Super Cup. However, this average was supported by a 25-pointer for a fast sequence with only random formations.

Mamba could still be the top contender in the Intermediate Class competition after the 4th place in 2009, only one single point away from the bronze medals. Team member Rich Delgado reported that his team has been training hard and competing for two years. He has replaced Ciaran Obyrne in the Tail slot.

The Mamba members are no strangers. Tom Martin (Center Inside), Johnny Tubbs (Center Outside) and Angela Batiz (Point), were on a fun team with Rich Delgado in 2007. Johnny Tubbs and Rich Delgado then competed with Flashpoint in 2008.

Mamba completed 9.5 hours of tunnel time this year and made over 260 jumps. Four more training days were scheduled right before the USPA Nationals, and the team from Texas is confident to be right where it wants to be to win USPA gold medals this year.

Rich Delgado added that the timing of the Dallas Super Cup was perfect for Mamba. The $500 cash on the line for the first place added enough pressure to make it a serious test for the upcoming competition.