posted Sep 11th, 2010 - The 54 teams at the UK Nationals 2010 was a great number and a serious challenge - but it wasn't quite enough. Sorry, Jo and UK teams, and let's try again next year...

The US 4-way teams did not show any signs of economic troubles, downswing of Formation Skydiving competition or anything similar. They came out in flocks as usual and brought the number of teams at the USPA Nationals 2010 in Ottawa to 59.

There was obviously a very good reason why the line at registration was long. The Skydive Chicago staff worked hard to accommodate all new arrivals on Friday evening until the opening ceremony began at 8 pm in the auditorium. The NSL News will get back to the last activities on Friday evening soon. There is plenty of time, as a weather system keeps the teams on the ground on Saturday moning.

In the meantime, the competition has continued at the ESL Championship 2010. The weather is not perfect either on Texel in the Netherlands. However, the European teams have made their way to the completion of six rounds in the AAA Class and five rounds in the three other categories.

The Dutch delegation seems to be working on a complete sweep on home turf. Whooops has created a serious lead in the AAA Class, which has only Dutch teams anyways. Creeps has turned the table in Round 5 and taken the 1-point lead away from the Belgian team FWCP in the AA Class competition.

UK Rookie Class team High Altitude Heroes was keeping up with Dutch team Mach 4 so far and also lost ground in Round 5. Mach 4 now has a significant lead and may collect more ESL Spirit points for the Dutch delegation.

Gr4vity is still holding a very thin 1-point lead over Murphy Mania. The Dutch A Class team has caught up round by round, and Czech team Crazy Dragons is also chasing the A Class leader from the United Kingdom. The A Class competition is still the most exciting one.

By the way, the competition draw is different at both events this weekend. There was a little bit confusion at the USPA Nationals 2010 when the ESL draw popped up at the usual time on the front page. Some US teams thought that this was already the USPA draw, and Judy Celaya clarified the situation during the opening ceremony.

ESL Manager Mike Pennock has uploaded a video that features the competition atmosphere at the ESL Championships 2010. The next NSL Reality TV clip will be uploaded soon, and the audience can switch back and forth between both competition sites. Have fun.