posted May 25th, 2006 - Last weekend's smallest meet was the season opener of the Mideast Skydiving League. MESL Director Randy Connell and the new MESL Communications Director Ed Lightle were both surprised when only two teams showed up at Skydive Greene County in Ohio on Saturday morning. The first MESL meet of the 2005 season was held on the same May weekend, and seven teams had attended the first competition of the year by then.

MESL Director Randy Connell knew that the teams and competitors in his region have been challenged in the past years and might consider taking it easier and rest this year. He had some feedback as of the status of MESL teams at this point. Airtight has changed the team name to SlotSwitch since the team members are planning to fly different slots in each round. The team could not attend the meet because the videographer was not available.

Team Fastrax had the MESL season opener originally on the team agenda. However, the training schedule was changed on a short notice when Fastrax had the opportunity to fly several hours in the 16-foot tunnel in the United Kingdom last week. The whole team was in Europe while the MESL meet took place. The NSL News will follow up soon with a story of this tunnel camp, which included a broken nose for Fastrax Point Niklas Hemlin.

The jump plane situation in the MESL area has changed this year, as well. There is no Twinotter available nearby, and it seems to be even difficult to find other turbine aircraft for training and competition. The weather has also not been favorable so far, and potential teams with new or 2005 competitors have not had much time to form and prepare.

The timing for a slower period in the Mideast Skydiving League does not seem to fit to the new opportunities in the area. Team Fastrax has blown a lot of fresh air into the Mideast skydiving community. It is the first time that a team from this area is on its way to become one of the best teams in the world, and the Fastrax members are motivated to share expertise and experience with the fellow competitors in the region.

MESL Director Randy Connell has also provided improved communication this year. Ed Lightle, a passionate 4-way fan and competitor who has written several articles for USPA's Parachutist, offered his help for the MESL and accepted the position of the MESL Communications Director this year. He has kept the MESL teams and competitors informed and provided updates leading toward the start of the MESL 2006 season. He also wrote the meet story of the season opener:

MESL kicks off the season with Meet #1 and no rain!

Written by Ed Lightle, MESL Communications Director

"Despite the low turnout, the Mideast Skydiving League got off to a great start at Skydive Greene County in Xenia, Ohio, with the first non-rainy day in about two weeks. Of the four teams who had planned to attend, only two could make it but it was still an exciting and challenging meet.

Mystic Rhythms, a AA/Intermediate Class team comprised of three former Soylent Greene competitors and veteran competitor and coach, John Woody, took the first place with an 8.2 average. Very impressive for a team who had not turned a single block this season and had not been able to practice for almost a month due to rainy weather.

In a similar situation was the new AA/Intermediate Class team, Vortex, with only five jumps together before the meet and a substitute for the tail slot. Experienced competitor, Leah Connell, led this group of eager competitors to a 4.8 average. Vortex handled the block-heavy draw with poise and confidence, proving that discipline, self-confidence, and proper ground work can have immediate payoffs.

Even though a Casa was used for the meet, tailgate exits also proved to be no problem for both teams as there was not a single blown exit. In closing, hats off to Deanne Hesterberg for excellent judging and to Robin Heider and the staff of Skydive Greene County for a smoothly run meet. Finally, thanks to the teams, themselves, for supporting the MESL. I look forward to our next meet.