posted Oct 21st, 2006 - The registration process is on the way in Eloy, and the NSL News goes back to the introduction of teams. The NSL News story on October 19 explained where Elsinore Gravity and Perris Fury might be able to position themselves in the AAA/Open Class competition of the USPA Nationals 2006. Other Open Class teams and their situations were also mentioned in the same story.

The NSL News on October 20 added that the complete field of teams in USPA's two other competition classes (AAA/Advanced Class and AA/Intermediate Class) will only be known tonight and then show which teams might be the top contenders. Registration in these two classes at the USPA Nationals has a limitation, which is defined in the USPA Competition Manual.

5-1.3: TEAM COMPOSITION E. No team in the Advanced or Intermediate 4-Way Formation Skydiving classes may be composed of more than one quarter of members who have previously won a gold medal in that class or a higher class at a previous U.S. National Skydiving Championships or in the same event at an FAI First Category Event, provided that the videographer will not be considered when applying this rule.

The border between AAA/Open and AAA/Advanced Class is a very soft one, with or without regulations by rules. It is very difficult to find a clear definition for a professional competitor, a full time competitor, a weekend competitor or similar situations. There have always been teams competing in the AAA/Open Class with weekend skydivers in the line-ups and no USPA gold medals won at previous USPA Nationals.

Other teams have competed in USPA's AAA/Advanced Class, which finished the competition with better averages than several teams in the AAA/Open Class. However, only one team member of a previous Advanced Class winner is obviously allowed to compete again in the same class with a different line-up. The winner of the Advanced Class has to move up into the Open Class if the team continues with the same or a very similar line-up.

It does not matter whether the previous winner of the Advanced Class is able to keep up with the Open Class teams next year or not. Even a reduced training program and lower meet average would not allow the Advanced Class champion to defend the title next year in the same class.

This year, it will be Mass Defiance of the New England Skydiving League that will be found in the middle or at the lower end of the Open Class rankings after being in the top position of the Advanced Class last year. The best position that Mass Defiance will realistically be able to get to is probably the 8th place.

Mass Defiance members said that the team was not able to train much this year, while Perris Fury and Elsinore Gravity showed great progression. Mass Defiance won the Advanced Class competition at the USPA Nationals 2005 with a 15.4 average.

The same rule for the AA/Intermediate Class competition would force last year's winner, Elsinore Equinox (13.0 average), into the AAA/Advanced Class competition this weekend. Equinox has not competed in 2006 and will probably not attend the USPA Nationals 2006.

Carolina Ice and Arizona Divewerkz placed 2nd and 3rd last year, only three and four points behind the winner. Both teams moved on and up and competed in the AAA Class at meets of the regular 2006 season in their league areas. However, both teams would still be eligible for USPA gold medals in the AA/Intermediate Class in Eloy. They would instantly become the top contenders for the AA/Intermediate Class competition if they signed up for this class.