posted Oct 17th, 2007 - The second day of 4-way competition at the 4th CISM Military World Games in India added only the scores of one more round to the leaderboard. However, Hayabusa's video of Round 4 is already available, thanks again to the team and videographer Danny Jacobs.

Hayabusa Defence added another point to the lead over the Golden Knights, and the outcome of this round was quite dramatic and emotional, as Hayabusa's Center Outside, David Grauwels, reported once again at the team's website:

"What a wonderful feeling we had, just a few minutes ago. Just as I wrote in the guestbook about Round 4 - it even got better than expected. We did our very best in Round 4, and we had the feeling after the jump that we had long and slow grips coming from the Cataccord to the Unipod and then to the Ritz.

However, it didn't seem to be that way when I saw the video. We had to time the jump several times because there was confusion around the 30th point. Was it in? Was it out? And how far away then? Three of us timed the jump, two had 30 points in (34.84 and 34.90), one had it out. However, we all knew that the jump was clean.

So, Shorty and I staid at the drop zone to watch the jump of the Golden Knights. Normally we don't do that, but since the Knights were already in the air, we decided to stay.

There is a flat screen TV with a live transmission at the dubbing station in the main briefing hall. This means that everybody in the hall can watch the jump from the moment the videographer plugs in his camera. And of course, everybody is timing the jumps of their opponents.

The first time you can see each jump is during the actual recording into the software program, and it is a very small image on the TV. Then it appears on the large screen while they check the proper recording. So you have two chances to see and time a jump for yourself.

Now, once again the three of us saw the jump of the Golden Knights and timed it. On the small screen, we timed the 31st point inside at 34.84 seconds.

Later on the big screen, I saw a Unipod grip of the Golden Knights tail position that wasn't completely secured. He wanted to reach for the outside leg of his Outside Center, but I saw a stretched-out hand barely missing that grip. However, the key speed was very fast, and the Tail still broke the grip at the same time as the rest of his team.

I was the only one who noticed that, the others were too busy counting the points. I wasn't sure about it since only I saw it. The situation explains the excitement of the team at that time. Can you imagine the situation after HayaBusa Defence getting only 29 points and, in the worst case, the Golden Knights getting a 31? We would be tied going into Round 5."

It turned out well for the Belgian team after the only jump of the day. Hayabusa received their 30 points, and the Golden Knights lost that Unipod David Grauwels was talking about. The Hayabusa lead was now three points.

Brian Krause, in the Point position for the Golden Knights, provided feedback for the NSL News from India, as well. Reigning 4-way world champion Gary Smith had spoken with BK and forwarded a summary:

Brian "BK" Krause and Gary Smith from India

The weather has been fantastic and really hot here in Hyderabad, India. The event organization is really helpful in trying to cater to every need.

The female event has been interesting to watch. There was a battle through the first four rounds between USA and Norway for the first place, as well as between France and Russia for the 3rd place.

Three rounds were made in the female event today, and after seven rounds the USA girls have shown how strong they are. They are currently ahead of Norway by 11 points. The Norwegians have been jumping well, but unfortunately for them, they did not make a training jump in the three months prior to this meet.

This is definitely counting against them on some of their block work. However, they believe that the USA has the stronger team. France has skydived really smooth and clean and has secured the 3rd place. Russia holds the 4th position.

There is a big struggle between Belgium and USA for the first place in the men's event. All teams have now completed four rounds. With the confirmation of the scores for the Round 4 it looks like Belgium has a 3-point lead over the Knights.

Both teams are jumping incredibly well, and the Knights might have been a little bit unlucky with just not getting the last points in, plus a bust or two in the 4th round. However, they say that they were a little bit shocked to hear that they had a bust. They can only see the scoresheet tomorrow morning. All credit still goes to the Belgian team for an excellent performance. They look good!!!

Other than that, Switzerland seems to sit comfortably in 3rd place at the half-way stage, and Germany follows in 4th place. The CISM standard of Formation Skydiving competition in both the female and male event is definitely very high this year.