posted Sep 21st, 2007 - Great news came from Italy this week. The Italian 4-way teams will join the international 4-way network next year. Italy's IPC Delegate Sara Sacchet had presented a proposal to the Italian federation (FIPaS) earlier this year, which included the synchronization of the Italian dive pool and competition draw with the NSL/ESL package.

Sara Sacchet confirmed that the proposal was agreed to at the recent FIPaS meeting. The synchronization of the Italian dive pool and competition draw creates the foundation to fully integrate the Italian meet schedule for 2008 into the NSL/ESL calendar of events.

The NSL News had already covered Formation Skydiving competitions in Italy in the past. The Italian Nationals 2007 was the last event that was brought to the attention of the NSL News audience with the story on September 3. The synchronization in 2008 will allow the NSL News to include all Italian teams, not only the teams that competed in the AAA Class.

Sara Sacchet explained that the Italian federation has adopted the dive pool and competition draw for the AAA, AA and A Class competition. These three competition classes will also be applied at the Italian Nationals 2008.

Italy will have some additional specific rules, which will be applied only in Italy. Sara Sacchet added that there will be requirements for teams to move up into the next competition class under certain cirumstances:

"We still have got some specific requirements. The winners of the national championship in the A and AA Class must continue in the next higher class. The A Class includes only skydivers who have never competed in the AA and/or AAA Class. They can jump in this class only for three years. Then they have to move on to the next higher class, etc."

Italy's participation in the NSL/ESL network adds high-quality competition and teams to the international Formation Skydiving community. The Italian team Sinapsi PD won the bronze medals at the last World Championship of Formation Skydiving in Germany in August 2006.

Several other Italian 4-way teams have been inspired by Sinapsi PD's success and have raised their scoring and performance level. A total of 28 teams competed at the Italian Nationals 2007 and promise great competition next year. The Italian 8-way team Ex3mo is on its way to challenge the three 8-way powerhouses, France - USA - Russia, for medal positions in 2008.

The dates of the competitions in Italy next year will be posted as soon as the schedule has been completed. The NSL News will follow up with more details and updates on the development of the new European league. Welcome, Italy - Benvenuto.