posted Sep 19th, 2004 - The 8-way competition in Croatia is done for today. USA Airspeed had a great second round with the highscore of 23 points and took the lead. France, the leader after round one, lost four points to the US team in round two and is now in second place, two points ahead of the Russian team. Germany has settled in fourth place after gaining two more points for the lead over Italy.

The NSL News invited Dan BC, former multi world champion in 4-way and 8-way with Arizona Airspeed, to comment the situation in the 8-way competition after two rounds in Croatia. BC is Airspeed's official alternate at the world meet, he coaches the US Women's team Synchcronicity and works with several other teams in Rijeka.

NSL News: Dan, you are the alternate in 8-way, and you are coaching other teams at the same time. Would you not rather like to be in the air?

Dan BC: I would always rather like to be in the air. But when your are coaching, as I have been a part of Synchronicity for the entire year with a long-time commitment, then you almost feel like being in the air with them. It is different if you coach just for a week.

NSL News: Who are you working with on the ground?

Dan BC: Synchronicity is the primary job. I am also helping the British 8-way. There are several other teams that I just help when it is possible.

NSL News: What is more nerve-wrecking, the alternate position for Airspeed or the coaching job?

Dan BC: Since everybody on Airspeed is healthy and walking on both legs it is is not nerve-wrecking at all. So it is coaching, for sure.

NSL News: What do you think about the current Airspeed performance in Croatia?

Dan BC: I think they are doing great. They have been through a lot this year, many injuries and moving people in and out of slots. They did not get the training they were hoping to get. But their competitive attitude and spirit put them in the right place for the meet.

NSL News: How did the Airspeed line-up change between Mondial 2003 and this year's world meet, and how much did it effect the team?

Dan BC: They lost Mark Kirkby and John Eagle who are two of the original Airspeed 8 members, and they also lost Todd Hawkins due to the injury earlier this year. Andy Honigbaum and Mike Inabinet took the open slots. Then Mike was injured first, broke his arm in the tunnel. Chris Talbert came out to help with Mike's slot. When Todd was hurt, Chris moved into his position and Mike came back. This all had a significant effect on the team. It is different when you have slots to fill in the beginning of the season. You have a whole year with a training plan designed to build the new team right from the beginning. It is hard to change the plan and bring peole in the middle of the year. It is also an emotional test for the team when you have severe injuries as Todd's. As Todd's recovery progressed, so did the team's. They have come through it very well.

NSL News: How much will the other top teams from Russia and France be able to challenge the US team in the remaining eight rounds of the competition?

Dan BC: I think they will definitely be able to challenge the team. They are all new teams. None of them has the same line-up as in 2003. Airspeed has a core of very experienced competitors surrounded by more youthful competitors with a lot of drive. I think they will be challenged, but they will carry the gold.

NSL News: How are the chances for the USA to make the triple gold?

Dan BC: If we stop the deal right now, it's a done deal. But there is much left to go. As at all good competitions, I expect it to be up and down from here on, but for the US teams to deliver all the gold.

NSL News: Is the French female team better than expected? How close can they stay?

Dan BC: They are not better than expected since I expected them to be very good. This is a heavily supported team from the French Federation. They did very well in 2003. I think it will be tight all the way to the finish.

NSL News: What do you think about the meet here in Croatia in general?

Dan BC: The best world meet events we have had took place at drop zones. Not only are the drop zones capable of holding the more efficient events, which is the best for all the competitiors, including aircraft and facilities. These drop zones, which include Gap, Ampuriabrava, Eloy, Australia, have provided events that the skydiving comunity proudly used to introduce competitive skydiving to the public.

NSL News: Thank you, Dan, and good luck here in Croatia.