posted Sep 17th, 2007 - The last update on the ESL Championship 2007 was posted on September 9. It was only a confirmation of the poor weather conditions in Belgium.

There were no changes on the leaderboard after the completed three rounds in the AAA Class and two rounds in the other three competition classes. The delegation from the Netherlands had the lead in the race of the nations for the ESL Spirit, the popular trophy that goes to the most successful nation after adding up all scores in all four competition classes.

The scores of the two best teams from each nation in each competition class add up to the total for the ESL Spirit rankings. The 3rd round of the AAA Class competition did not count for the ESL Spirit results since the teams in the other competition classes did not complete this round.

Only the Netherlands had signed up two teams in each competition class and took advantage of this head start. The best eight teams of the Dutch 11-team delegation combined for a total of 202 points. Great Britain had actually the better teams in the AA, A and Rookie Class but had no participation in the AAA Class. The lack of the AAA Class teams cost the British delegation the ESL Spirit this year.

The six UK teams in the three competition classes combined for a total of 154 points, while the best six teams from the Netherlands in the same competition classes scored 144 points. The two Dutch AAA Class teams added the winning 58 points. Great Britain would have probably won the ESL Spirit with the help of two of UK's best AAA Class teams.

Belgium was the defender of the ESL Spirit and had seven teams signed up in all four competition classes, including the World Cup champion of 2007, Hayabusa Defence. Six of the seven Belgian teams competed in the AAA Class, none in the AA and Rookie Class and only one team in the A Class.

Belgium could have registered some of the AAA Class teams in the AA and A Class to win more ESL Spirit points. The seven Belgian teams already combined for a total of 181 points, and they would probably have collected even more points by competing in a lower competition class. However, the teams decided to compete where they felt they belonged, and Belgium forwarded the trophy to the Netherlands this year.

Chris Hollis, Formation Skydiving representative of the British Parachute Association (BPA), was at the ESL Championship 2007 in Belgium and provided a summary of the event from the British perspective:

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ESL Championship 2007

By Chris Hollis

Low cloud and drizzle did not stop the eight European nations gathered at Spa, Belgium from having a great time at the ESL finals. We did only three rounds in the AAA Class, two in the other competition classes, but in summary it was a great meet considering the awful weather conditions.

The Dutch delegation ended up winning the sword as it is awarded based on points scored across all four categories. Shame it's not on podium finishes as the UK sent six teams, two in AA, A and Rookie. We ended up with gold medals in each class, plus two sets of silver medals and one set of bronze.

Wingnutz were clear winners in the AA Class with Fend 4 Yourself securing silver ahead of Turbulence, a Dutch AAA Class team competing in the AA Class for this meet. Sonic V beat quality Dutch team Whoops for gold medals in the A Class. 4-Play and Strangers in the Night battled it out for the UK in the Rookie Class with 4-play coming home in front.

Devoid of any UK teams, the AAA Class was an exhibition of world-class skydiving from the ever-friendly locals Hayabusa Defence who just looked every inch the World Cup winners they are.

The meet was called on Saturday evening after a team captains' vote resulted in a narrow victory for those who wanted to party, then go home! Team UK celebrated their individual medals and despite not clinching the overall sword displayed great team spirit, cheering on all competitors with their national flags.

Many thanks to Sven Ibsen for organising the competition and all at the Spa Skydive Center for hosting such a good-natured and friendly international meet. I hope any European 4-way teams reading this make the effort to go next year. The venue is moving from Spa, but it hasn't been decided where yet. Wherever it is, competitors are no doubt guaranteed of a fun meet and a great party.