posted Jul 13th, 2004 - Bad luck for the MidAtlantic Skydiving League team Cross Keys O2 Project. Center Inside of the team, Tom Petzold, broke his wrist last Saturday, caused by a bad landing under his reserve. Petzold is in good shape, however, the season is over for him, as his team mates report.

It is a bad timing, if there ever is a good timing for an injury. O2 Project has already put quite some training efforts into the 2004 season. The team consists of Barry Bichler, Tom Petzold, Cherie Schuch, Karl Schuch, Herman Tibbals and competed in the AA Class last year. The same line-up won the silver medal in the Intermediate Class at the USPA Nationals 2003 in Lake Wales after an exciting race with Windline Lightning for the gold medal. O2 Project posted a 12.0 average in the AA Class competition and ended up four points behind the home team.

Although the team did not have to move up into the AAA/Advanced Class according to the current USPA rules, O2 Project with exactly the same line-up volunteered to train and experience the whole dive pool for the 2004 season. Training plans were made, coach Brian Johnson was hired for several camps at Cross Keys and Skydive DeLand, tunnel time was booked at SkyVenture Orlando, O2 Project was on the way into a great 2004 season and already in full swing by July.

The first half of the 2004 season was promising. O2 Project attended the first MASL meet on home turf in June and posted a 12.5 meet average after six rounds. The draw included rounds with memory and slot switchers, which are the challenges that make the AAA Class more difficult compared to the AA Class. The O2 Project scores were still higher than their AA Class scores in 2003, and there was room for improvement. Obviously, the team with MASL Directors Karl and Cherie Schuch was highly motivated after the great start into the season.

Tom Petzold's injury is a very unfortunate and big obstacle in O2 Project's way. However, the team decided to move on, if possible. Karl and Cherie Schuch explained: "We are trying to salvage the season for the team, and so we need to find a player who is somewhat accomplished in AAA. We don't have enough time to train someone because it is so late in the season." O2 Project can be contacted directly by e-mailing the Schuchs: Hallschuch@aol.com. O2 Project also runs a team website at O2Project.net

The Florida Skydiving League team FSJ JAMMM, located at the Florida Skydiving Center in Lake Wales, is looking for a new team member, as well. FSC JAMMM has competed in the A Class and has been held back in training and competing by frequent personnel changes. The solid 3-way is looking for a consistent fourth member. Contact person is Mike Green: Skydivevideo@aol.com