posted Jul 3rd, 2004 - NSL News: Pete, please give us a quick overview of the whole Malevsky Cup from your perspective.

Pete Allum: Almost every team at the Malevsky Cup has come to test their game. Whether it be their exits, their mindset or how they look to the judges. This is everyone's last chance for international experience prior to the W/meet in Croatia. The usual suspects have raised their heads: flat exit angles, seperation on randoms, weather conditions and the old gem....centre-point issues on block 12. With those objectives in mind, no team should be dissapointed with their Malevsky Cup experience, so far. You just cannot get this microscopic attention to detail or intensity in a training camp. We still do not (yet!) have enough high pressure meets on the calendar to test these issues frequently.

Pete Allum: I am still bothered by the lack of consistency with many of these issues, especially the centre-point bust. To me it is clear, if you show that the centre-points do not cross, wether you do that by block technique or manipulation of the video angle then you have fullfilled the requirement. The opposite must also be true, if you do not show it, then you bust. So, I welcome this opportunity to test and question the judging system before the big game in September.

NSL News: I cannot remember any of the bigger meets where you did not compete yourself, Pete. How does does it feel to be on the ground?

Pete Allum: Well, it is the first time since 1985 that I have been on the ground at one of these things. I feel much better than I thought! I finally have the chance to be relaxed at one of these meets and study the form of all the other teams. From a coaches perspective this is a great place to be!

NSL News: XL is gone, V-Max is only here for fun and will not compete in Croatia. There is no British world class team any longer, and no successors seem to be even close. What is going on in the United Kingdom?

Pete Allum: There are a number of new teams that are fighting at around the 13-16 point average. This will make for a lot more excitement at the nationals over the next few years. At the world meet this year, the 4-way team will be the team that came 3rd last year at nationals. They have been training at Perris with Dan BC. The female team was selected recently at a meet in the UK. The team to go to Croatia will be Misstral, they recently trained at Deland. I believe that the 8-way will be the 2nd place team from last years nationals (along with Derek Thomas).