posted Dec 1st, 2011 - The leaderboard is almost complete at the 3rd Dubai Championship 2011, at least with the scores of Round 1. The teams have completed two rounds, but the judging and DZ-TV system is struggling to keep up with the action, despite the slow pace for the teams.

However, the scores of Round 1 show how exciting this competition will be. Both US teams probably decided to focus on their own internal race for the bronze medals and $20,000 rather than trying to take chances and chase Aerodyne Aerokart and/or NMP-PCH Hayabusa. The top teams from France and Belgium have launched their own race and don't look back to the rest of the field. Both lost one point in Round 1, and France has the 1-point lead.

The competition in the female 4way category will be just as exciting as expected, even though there are only three teams. Team Blue, Aerodyne Deep Blue Defenders and Illusions all lost a point in Round 1, as well, and the UK ladies played out their individual strength in the fastest sequence of the competition draw. France may have a chance to fight back when the technically more challenging rounds are coming.

NSL News correspondent Max Thiele reported that the first competition day began very casually, as the competition draw was silently posted and announced around noon in Dubai. The teams could pick it up and begin with the preparations for Round 1. He said that there was still enough excitement since the Canopy Pilots are racing by very closely to the tents of the 4way teams.

He also mentioned that the transportation logistics are quite adventurous and fun. The landing area on the palm tree island and the DZ with boarding area are separated from each other, and the transportation by bus has not been too popular in the past. Max Thiele said that the teams are now boarding speed boats after landing, which bring them back in a straight line to the location where the facilities are located. This additional trip is very popular.

The weather forecast is critical for the coming days, and it seems as if the host tries to push the pace, as long as the weather is favorable. It was again too windy for the Canopy Pilots, but competition rounds in Canopy Relative Work were completed.

The Qatar Tigers, winner of the Advanced Class competition at the USPA Nationals 2011, had a great start and took the lead in the Gulf Cup, which is a part of the 3rd Dubai Championship 2011. Max Thiele's Qatar Falcons are right behind but cannot place with the German substitute. The Falcons are registered for the Open Class competition only.

Max Thiele also sent a correction note. The 21way that Craig Girard organized on Wednesday was not in preparation for a 40way formation. The 21 top competitors built the number "40" as a freefall formation to honor the 40-year anniversary tomorrow.

Other than that, he said that the opening ceremony was as exciting and beautiful as expected. The show included video animations on a large screen that the spectators could enjoy in a video stadium. Themes of the show were the desert and parachuting. Spectacular fireworks and three illuminated canopy pilots swooping into the stadium were the highlight of the show last night.

The scores of Round 2 will hopefully follow first thing tomorrow morning.