226 Pecan Street
Deland FL 32724
tel: (386) 801-0804
© 2003 - 2024
All Rights Reserved
FSC Eisenach had won the 4-way event with an 18.9 average, and the EADS line-up (FSC Eisenach plus Jens Goennemann, Thomas Spielvogel, Olaf Biedermann, Goran Meyer) also took the 8-way title with a 15.3 average and without much serious competition. The defending champion, FSC Remscheid, ended up in 2nd place with a 12.4 average.
FSC Eisenach's double-gold feature in Germany has been accomplished, but where does this leave the German national teams on the international stage? FSC Eisenach and EADS plan to continue with the 8-way project throughout the World Meet 2008 in France. FSC Eisenach will also represent Germany in 4-way.
The NSL News had introduced the German 4-way team with the story on April 24 and followed up on July 8 after the team had posted a 20.3 average at the June meet of the Deutsche Sky Liga.
The story on April 24 included a brief evaluation of the international 8-way competition and the potential chances of an underdog to get into contention for a medal position. The new line-up of the German 8-way team EADS seemed to have a promising potential, with the best two German 4-way teams in history joining forces in 8-way.
The situation at the end of the 2007 season has apparently slowed down the German momentum in 4-way and in 8-way. The focus on both events might have made it difficult for both teams to show great progression in either of the two Formation Skydiving events.
Ex3mo followed up with a 16.8 average at the Italian Nationals 2007 at the end of August, while EADS posted a 15.3 average at the German Nationals 2007 two weeks later. The road to 8-way medals does not only have the three 8-way powerhouses (France, USA, Russia) as the major obstacles on the way. Italy's 8-way team Ex3mo has become a very serious contender.
The new German EADS 8-way line-up was motivated to close the gap to Italy and eventually re-capture the 4th place while moving closer to the medal positions. However, the current situation does not indicate a German momentum in that direction, and the situation will not become easier between now and the World Meet 2008 in France.
Italy's 8-way team Ex3mo focuses only on the 8-way event, and the team has already moved up from a 13.9 average in 2004 to a 16.8 average this September. Italy will send a separate 4-way team to the world meet next year.
EADS' 8-way coach of 2007, Italian Marco Arrigo, former Sinapsi PD member, should be able to explain to the EADS line-up why Italy seems to have a stronger progression. He has now been an active member of the Ex3mo line-up for a few years, while he is working with the German team.
The 2007 season is over for many teams, and the evaluation of the passed year will be followed by plans for the 2008 season. The NSL News will follow up with as much new information from as many teams as possible during the off-season.