posted Nov 3rd, 2010 - Former DeLand Majik 4-way world champion and Team Fastrax member Doug Park provided the NSL News with his take on the new Arizona Airspeed lineup during the live NSL Talk on 26 October 2010. Original plan was to have his Majik team mate Solly Williams join the conversation, which did not materialize that day.

Solly Williams took the time yesterday to visit the NSL office for his own NSL Talk session. He added quite a few new perspectives to the 4-way picture of the top teams in the USA and in the world.

Doug Park mainly provided his insights about the time that he spent with the members of the new Airspeed lineup. Solly Williams' perspective is more the one of an observer from the outside. He added a few thoughts of the situation in the USA and then looked at the international competition.

NSL Talk with Solly Williams

The NSL Talk with Doug Park disregarded the 4-way bronze medalists at the USPA Nationals 2010, the Golden Knights Gold lineup, for a good reason. The US Army team is mainly focused on bringing back the 8-way gold medals to the USA, which Russia and France have taken since 2001, with once exception in 2004.

However, Solly Williams pointed out that the Golden Knights have always spent some extra time in 4-way, especially when the 8-way position in the USA was more or less secure. This will probably be the case very soon, as the 8-way lineup did not have to work too hard to win this year.

Solly Williams thinks that the Golden Knights will surely be a factor in the 4-way competition, as well, and the numbers speak for his thoughts. This is the reason why the Golden Knights have now been added to the NSL Poll at the bottom of this page, and the poll is open again for all voters.

USPA Nationals 2010		Round1	Round2	Round3	Round4	Round5	Round6	Round7	Round8	Round9	Round10	Total	Avg
Rank	4-way Open	16,21,11	3,L,K,10	6,22,1	12,20,4	Q,M,2,N	H,D,9,G	19,5,13	F,E,17,O	C,8,7	A,18,14	Total	Avg
1	Arizona Airspeed	21	23	15	15	32	42	23	40	25	19	255	25.5
2	Perris Fury	21	22	18	16	25	38	22	36	23	20	241	24.1
3	Golden Knights Gold	17	21	17	15	27	32	18	33	22	18	220	22.0
4	Paraclete XP4	18	20	15	15	26	28	20	29	22	19	212	21.2
5	SDC Rhythm XP	17	19	16	15	23	30	19	32	20	14	205	20.5

Golden Knights Gold at the USPA Nationals 2010

The Gold lineup that competed at the USPA Nationals 2010 (Brian "BK" Krause, Sean Sweeney, Matt Davidson, Kurt Isenbarger, with 8-way competitor Larry Miller on camera) goes into its third year and finished with a 22.0 average. The same lineup had posted a 21.6 average at the USPA Nationals 2009.

Three of the team members (Brian Krause, Matt Davidson, Kurt Isenbarger) have been competing together in 4-way since 2006, with Eric Heinsheimer in 2006 (19.6), John Hoover in 2007 (23.0) and again with Eric Heinsheimer in 2008 (21.5). Sean Sweeney has been the 4-way Tail since 2009. Brian Krause and Matt Davidson go even further back to 2004.

This lineup does not need much 4-way training to remain on the top level in the USA, especially as the intensive 8-way training keeps all Golden Knights in great shape. Solly Williams made a good point when he said that he considers the Gold lineup also as a top contender in 4-way.

Solly Williams also thinks that Perris Fury is in a better position than it may look like. The highly experienced full time competitor and coach knows from his own career and work that the number of returning team members is crucial for the near future of each team.

This is also the reason why he thinks that the Russian Sky Panthers have been performing strongly this year at the World Championship of Formation Skydiving 2010 and may be in an even better position in the next two years. The same lineup has been training and competing together since 2006.

However, the team to beat on an international level will be the reigning 4-way world champions, Aerodyne Cypres Maubeuge, which is coming back with three of the original members and passionate 4-way lover Emmanuel "Manu" Sarrazin. Finally, Solly Williams wished all the teams good luck with the "Re-Shuffles"...

USPA Nationals 2011
Who has the best chances to win next year?	Arizona Airspeed Perris Fury Paraclete XP4 Golden Knights Others
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