posted Jun 7th, 2011 - The first week in August will bring the biggest international meet of the 2011 season to the NSL News audience, the World Cup 2011, which will be hosted by Germany this year. The NSL News will provide live coverage from the competition site in Saarlouis.

The total number of currently registered teams is already higher compared to the World Cup 2009 in Prostejov, Czech Republic, where the NSL News was also live on site. 29 teams competed in 4-way in 2009, plus five 8-way teams. 28 teams are pre-registered in 4-way for this year's event, additional ten teams plan to compete in 8-way.

There was no team from the USA in Prostejov in 2009. In fact, all participating teams were from Europe. This time, two 4-way teams and one 8-way team from the USA and a 4-way team from Australia will make the trip to Germany.

Russia and the United Kingdom both had the maximum number of four teams represent their countries in 4-way in 2009, and they have currently once again the strongest delegations for this year's event in the Open Class. Both countries had also teams in the female 4-way category and in 8-way in Prostejov, and they will have them this year in Germany, as well.

Russia even sends a second 8-way team to Saarlouis. The first Russian 8-way team is the Barkli lineup that won the bronze medals at the World Championship of Formation Skydiving 2010 in Menzelinsk. The Crystal Contour 8-way team had won bronze medals for Russia at the World Cup in Prostejov 2009. The second Russian 8-way team in Germany this year is more like a fun pickup team.

The 8-way competition in Germany will not only have twice as many teams as in 2009. The competition could also be a copy of the 8-way thriller in Menzelinsk last year where France and USA battled for the gold medals. Most likely, Russia's Barkli lineup will also be much closer to the two top teams in Saarlouis.

Two of the four Russian teams (Black Cat, Skylight Barkli) made it to the Finals in 2009 (Round 10), the other two teams (Kaktus Hunter, Cross Road) were done after the Semifinals (Round 9). Only one of the four UK teams (SonicNutz) made it to the Semifinals in 2009.

France sent the national A-Team and the two B-Teams to the World Cup in 2009. Aerodyne Cypres Maubeuge won the gold medals, and Aerokart Pamiers Maubeuge finished in 6th place after Round 10. Aerokart Amada Maubeuge did not make it to the Finals. National manager Jeremie Rollett sends the A-Team and both new B-Teams to Germany this year.

The Russian bronze medalist of the World Meet 2010, Sky Panthers, did not compete in Prostejov. The new Sky Panthers lineup has the same three members of 2010 but will once again compete under Skylight Barkli as in 2009. Black Cat will also return to the World Cup with the team's new lineup.

Russian Nationals 2010		Round1	Round2	Round3	Round4	Round5	Round6	Round7	Round8	Round9	Round10	Total	Avg
Rank	AAA Class	7,4,M	9,A,1	22,D,O,20	19,17,3	11,Q,K,C	21,L,15	H,E,N,14	B,P,F,J,G	12,8,5	10,6,16	Total	Avg
1	Sky Panthers	26	26	23	22	27	22	23	45	19	21	254	25.4
2	Black Cat	24	29	24	21	27	19	27	39	19	14	243	24.3
3	Gradient Alpha	23	24	19	19	23	19	24	41	17	18	227	22.7
4	Kaktus Hunter	19	25	18	17	26	18	22	39	15	17	216	21.6
5	Ocean 5	21	23	18	15	24	19	19	28	17	19	203	20.3
6	Sky 45	18	18	17	15	19	16	21	26	14	15	179	17.9

The other two Russian teams for the World Cup 2011 are Gradient Alpha and Sky 45. The ranking order at the Russian Nationals 2010 was the qualification factor for the World Cup this year. Sky Panthers, Black Cat and Gradient Alpha were in the first three places.

Kaktus Hunter (4th) and Ocean 5 (5th) did not continue after the end of the 2010 season, and Sky 45 was the next team in line. This offers some members of two new Russian teams the opportunity to compete at the World Cup for the first time in 4-way. Some Gradient Alpha members were in the 8-way lineup at the World Cup 2009, and some had also competed for Cross Road in 2007 and 2009.

The strict application of the qualification rules in Russia do not allow one of the Russian top teams to compete at the World Cup. SportLoto actually defeated Gradient Alpha at this year's season opener in Kolomna after a jump-off. Former Kaktus Hunter and new SportLoto members Egor Gusev and Andrew Kharitonov would actually be eligible, but they are short one more person to qualify for the World Cup 2011. They will now focus on the Russian Nationals 2011.