posted Apr 12th, 2007 - The NSL News coverage of the World Challenge 2007 takes a short break and will continue tomorrow. Members of the Norwegian national 4-way team Arcteryx were available on Wednesday for a live interview at the NSL office in DeLand. It was a good opportunity for an update after the Arcteryx appearance at the FSL Shamrock Showdown 2007.

Ditta Valsdottir, Ole Petter Hjelle, Derek Broughton and Mikjel Skurdal took some time on their day off and enjoyed the visit in the NSL office, as the video of the live interview will show. Team videographer Mikjel Skurdal opened the conversation with the official NSL News announcement for a change.

The FSL Shamrock Showdown 2007 was the first competition for the new line-up, and the 19.7 average after ten rounds was surely a great start into the 2007 season. The NSL News story on March 26 had already provided more details of the recent team history.

The three veteran Arcteryx members, Ditta Valsdottir, Ole Petter Hjelle and Tore Buer competed for the first time in their new slots. Ditta Valsdottir switched from Point to Center Outside this year and provides her feedback after training and competing in the new position.

The whole team was not really too surprised with the 19.7 average at the Shamrock Showdown. Team videographer Mikjel Skurdal explained that the 3-way was already very well trained, even though they had different slots before. He added that the experience of this 3-way made it much easier for Derek Broughton to use and develop his talent.

She took her 2007/2008 slot from Ole Petter Hjelle who is the new Arcteryx Tail. The newest Arteryx member, Derek Broughton, is flying the Point slot. The NSL News story on January 23 included the last interview with Arcteryx and the first conversation with Derek Broughton who competed at the World Meet 2006 as a freeflyer.

He commented in the January interview that "...4-way is the best..." After 350 training jumps in 4-way and the first competition with the new team, his comment on Wednesday was different: "Freeflying is the best." But he was just kidding...

The interview begins with the preview of a very different recent incident in DeLand. PD Factory team member Shannon Pilcher, Skydiving Magazine's 2006 Skydiver of the Year, came home from a recent trip to find his house in DeLand in a very different look. It was painted all pink in his absence.

There were rumors in DeLand that Norwegians were responsible for the new color of his house, and the NSL News used the opportunity of the interview to ask for insights. In fact, it was quite suspicious that Derek Broughton's T-shirt had pink color all over.

Eventually, Ole Petter Hjelle admitted responsibility for the incident and explained with background information for Shannon Pilcher's pink house story.

The interview became more serious later on and covered the usual athletic part of the team, plus additional information related to the team. The Arcteryx members also commented the recent scores at the World Challenge 2007 at Bodyflight Bedford.

Arcteryx has already run several training camps in Bedford and knows the tunnel very well. Ole Petter Hjelle said that the Norwegian campers and Arcteryx already flew a total of approx. 180 hours in Bedford. The Norwegian team missed the competition this year. However, the World Challenge 2008 is already on the Arcteryx agenda for next year.

The Arcteryx members explain in the interview what's behind the different colors of their containers and helmets. They also provided more information of the team's schedule this year. The April meet of the Florida Skydiving League will serve as the next opportunity for competition practice.

This year's showdown with the Norwegian bronze medal winners of 1999, 2001 and 2003, the DeLand Norgies, will take place in July. Arcteryx will then compete at the FAI World Cup 2007 in August in Russia. The Norwegian team also plans to attend the USPA Nationals 2007 as a guest team. The video of the interview can be viewed by clicking here.