posted Jun 29th, 2004 - Round one of the IPC Anton Malevsky Memorial World Cup 2004 is out of the way. The field has already been spread out, statements have been made. Most of all, the NSL News coverage seems to be able to live up to the expectations. It was a great pleasure to post the scores as soon as the judges were done with their Omniskore evaluation. In fact, while the first viewing was shown on the screens of the Stupino DZ-TV, the video files for NSL-TV were already created at the same time. Minutes later, most of the jumps of round one were already available at Skyleague.com.

France Maubeuge and DeLand Majik are already on the way to make the meet a two-team competition. Most people expected 22 points as the maximum score in this round. However, when the NSL News asked Davide Moy after the 23-point performance, France Maubeuge's team member mentioned that they would have expected 24 points as their maximum score. Maubeuge was working on building the 24th point at the freeze frame. Majik came further than to the 22nd point, as well. The second Cat of Block 15 was almost complete. Doug Park admitted later that the French team had the better engineering in this round.

Sinapsi PD did not only have a slower round compared to the two top teams. The Italian team also had to accept a penalty and two-point deduction for an incomplete separation between the Turf of Block 3 and the following Murphy Flake. The judges could not see a clear break at the front of the formation. The score of 17 points put Sinapsi PD in an almost hopeless position behind France and Majik. The Russian Sky Panthers took the third place for now with 19 points. Four other teams are tied with Sinapsi PD in fourth position.

Next came a long break for the teams and the official opening ceremony. The Russian hosts had prepared a perfect show, and many spectators came to visit this air and ground spectacle. Aerobatic performances by parachutes, model planes, aerobatic planes and jet fighters kept the eyes up in the sky for almost two hours. The formal procedures included a parade by the teams and competitors who were following a marching band to the presentation stage. Flags were lifted, speeches were held, fireworks completed the show. IPC President BJ Worth found the right words to show his appreciation to the hosts:

"Skydiving competitions are primarily made for the competitors who should expect the hosts to be just as prepared as they are when they go to a meet. Stupino has been well prepared in the few years since this event has been created. The Russian hosts do not only meet the high expectations, they offer even more to the competitors and also to the visitors."

The party in Stupino continues throughout the whole afternoon. However, it is now time for the 4-way teams to get back to work. The MI-8 has taken off for round two. The next updates on Skyleague.com will be scores and videos of round two. Stay tuned.