posted Mar 15th, 2006 - The local media in the DeLand area has already directed some attention to the upcoming FSL Shamrock Showdown 2006. The annual event usually attracts additional flocks of spectators to Skydive DeLand on the event days, especially when the media has announced the competition with previews.

Today's article in the Orlando Sentinel covers the Shamrock Showdown as one of the area events this weekend, which are worth a visit. The content of the article is based on information provided by the FSL management in press releases. Today's story is accurate, except that DeLand Majik does not compete any longer and will not be a part of the Shamrock Showdown this year. Only former Majik members Gary Smith (DeLand Fire) and Doug Park (Fastrax) will compete with their new teams.

Several TV News stations in the area have already covered the event in the past years, as well, and this year's event information has been brought up to the attention of the news crews. It looks as if the upcoming Shamrock Showdown 2006 will once again be an attractive bridge to the public.

The event schedule begins with the traditional reception at the DeLand Holiday Inn Convention Center at 6 pm on Friday. That's the time when the competition draw will take place, the teams will be introduced, and the jump order for Saturday morning will be announced. The reception comes long with free beer sponsored by the host.

Sky's the limit this weekend

ORANGE CITY -- From parachutes to fine art to strawberries: If you're making plans for the weekend, Volusia County's got you covered. Skydive DeLand will have the season opener of the Florida Skydiving League's 2006 season at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at DeLand Municipal Airport.

The DeLand Fire four-way formation skydiving team, which qualified last year as the United States' national team, will take on foursomes from across the United States, including the 2004 world-champion DeLand Majik team, in the annual Shamrock Showdown.

The public can view the landings live and the free-fall part of the jump on televisions positioned throughout the airport. Admission and parking are free.

The annual event -- the first competition on the road to the world championship in Germany in August -- will include competitors from Italy, Russia, Norway and Denmark.

After exiting a plane at 10,500 feet and performing a series of maneuvers in 35 seconds, team members separate at about 4,000 feet, open their chutes and go into free fall while the whole thing is captured on film by the team's fifth member. The videographers turn the tapes over to judges upon landing.

Also during the two-day event, tandem skydives will be available for those who want to do more than watch. Call the National Skydiving League at 386-740-9093.