posted Dec 22nd, 2004 - The NSL News recently posted an interview with the NSL 2004 champions of Arizona Blade, Natasha Montgomery and Thomas Hughes. Both were not ready to elaborate on their plans for the future by then (December 9). However, it took only two more weeks for Montgomery and Hughes to prepare and finalize the plans for the new season.

Arizona Blade had only plans for the 2004 season and will not continue as a team. Montgomery and Hughes explained to the NSL News that the 2004 season was a wonderful and very successful season for the team. However, new goals and several different reasons were leading Montgomery and Hughes to the conclusion of relocating and forming a new line-up for 2005.

Montgomery and Hughes continued their visit to Florida after the NSL Championship 2004 for quite a while to explore and evaluate the possibility of a new line-up and a new home for next year's team. The success of the 2004 season left no doubt for both that there had to be even more 4-way business on the agenda.

The next step was obviously not a very easy one. Montgomery and Hughes were very much aware of their potential to compete for gold medals at next year's USPA Championship and for qualification to the World Championship of Formation Skydiving 2006 in Germany as the U.S. national 4-way team after already winning the NSL Championship 2004. Montgomery and Hughes did not clearly express their desire to go after the gold medals in the interview with the NSL News. However, the most recent update indicated that this goal had now been considered for the list of 2005 team goals.

Montgomery and Hughes were now facing a serious obstacle. Arizona Blade competed only as a guest team at the USPA Championship 2004 since Hughes was a team member of the British national team XL through the world meet in 2003. He was not eligible for USPA medals in 2004, and he will still not be eligible to qualify as a member of any U.S. national team in 2005. Finally, Montgomery and Hughes agreed to form a new team that will be eligible for the USPA gold medals in 2005 and that can also qualify as the U.S. national team.

The new team plan assigns Hughes as the team videographer and inofficial alternate. Logically, three slots were still open. Montgomery and Hughes now had to form the remainder of the new line-up according to their goals for 2005. Blade members of the 2004 season, Mark Kirkby and Robert Healy, were on the list of candidates, as well as several other world class 4-way competitors, including members of the current world champion, DeLand Majik. It was obviously not an easy choice for Montgomery and Hughes, especially since winning next year's gold medals was not the most important goal for both.

Montgomery confirmed clearly in the interview with the NSL News that the team chemistry and the importance of a fun trip in 2005 was just as relevant as the athletic goals. In addition, Montgomery and Hughes had to facilitate their own life style and commitments. Result of the whole package was the new line-up and the new location.

The new team will train at Skydive DeLand. Montgomery and Hughes have already moved to DeLand and are preparing the first training camp at the end of the month. The new line-up includes former Majik member Gary Smith who will complete the front piece in the Center Outside position and fly this piece together with Montgomery in the Point position. Former Genesis and PD Blue members, Shannon Pilcher and Ian Bobo, form the rear piece with Pilcher in the Center Inside position and Bobo in his original Tail slot.

The NSL News will follow up with more information of the new DeLand team and also with an update of the impact on and the future plans of DeLand Majik, the current 4-way world champion. Click here to discuss the new 4-way situation with your fellows in the NSL Discussion Forum.