posted Sep 28th, 2006 - The ominous Fun Flag has made the NSL News several times in the past years, mostly when international Formation Skydiving competitions were on the agenda. The NSL News story on September 13 was an effort to go back to the very beginnings of the Fun Flag history. Former 8-way world champion, Golden Knight Chris Wagner, was around at that time, and he had posted his story at the Omniskore website long ago.

Omniskore's T2, Tim Wagner, followed up at the same location of Omniskore's website with his own story. He is Chris Wagner's brother and used to compete with the Golden Knights, as well. Tim and Ted, who is also known as T1, created the Omniskore judging system later. The Wagner brothers recently retired from Omniskore business and sold their hardware and software to Skydive Arizona's owner Larry Hill.

Here is Tim Wagner's Fun Flag story, posted during the coverage of the World Championship of Formation Skydiving in Spain 2001:

"I spoke with Neal Houston and Jack Jefferies about the flag yesterday (27 June) and gathered a few more details. The flag was made by Pat 'Splat' Floyd of the Canadian 8-way team in 1985 as a motivational tool for his attitude-compromised team. The flag found its way into the hands of Tom Piras of the "Air Bears" for the 1985 World Meet, where it began its adventure as detailed by Chris above.

Continuing the flag's travails, the flag wound up back in the hands of Tommy Piras after the 1991 World Meet. Then, not long before he died in 1992, Tommy gave the flag (and its proud story, with instructions) to Jack Jefferies, who kept it until the World Meet at Eloy in 1993, where Neal Houston stole the flag while the US entourage was walking to the airplane.

The flag made its home in Canada, at least long enough for the Canadian 8-way team logo to be sewn on it. Then, as the 1995 World Meet was approaching, the flag somehow made its way to the US team via Molly Mercer (who should pitch in her two cents here eventually).

The flag remained with the Golden Knights, at least long enough to get a Golden Knights patch sewn on. The flag then passed through the hands of Tom Falzone and back to Neal Houston, who gave it to Airspeed for the World Meet in Australia 1999. The flag has remained with the Arizona team ever since.

I'm sure there are many missing details and/or inaccuracies to this story of the flag, and we'll update this page as the holes get filled in."

It does not seem to be a surprise any longer that the Canadian teams are still always involved when there is any Fun Flag action. Even the above mentioned Airspeed member Neal Houston was born in Canada.

The Fun Flag was obviously created by Canadians, and the Canadian teams of the past years have simply followed the tradition. However, teams and competitors from other countries have been involved, as well, as the next contribution by former Australian competitor and IPC official Tim Stevens, shows:

"The Aussies Report

G'day Omni-masters,

The Aussie 4-way FS team had the flag (whilst Tom Piras was coaching in Australia) for the period Oct 1988 until about March 1989 (leading up to Ampuriabrava 98 [89] world meet). So it proudly flew at Corowa on and off for 6 months. As I recall, the flag stood for Funding Under Negotiation - skydiver always want more dollars for there next jump don't they? Closer inspection will reveal many Aussie beer stains on this most cherished icon.

Cheers, Tim Stevens"

The international journey of the Fun Flag continues. The current location is most likely still in Belgium, where ESL Director Willy Boeykens recently took a picture of it during the ESL Championship 2006. Spa Hayabusa members apparently took possession of the Fun Flag at the World Meet 2006 in Germany. The story will be continued soon.