posted Jan 29th, 2008 - The NSL News has already covered the current 4-way vacuum in Italy several times. The last update on 14 December 2007 (Archives > 2007 > News > search for: Italy) explained why the Italian association (FIPAS) doesn't accept double-duties for Italian competitors at the World Championship of Formation Skydiving in France this year.

The Eutelia Spin Team had tried to get FIPAS permission for the team's new member, Marco Arrigo. The highly experienced world-class competitor, former Sinapsi PD member, is a current member of the Italian 8-way team, Ex3mo.

The Spin Team, with Alessandro Giovannini, Antonella Chiarin, Enea Savorelli, Mirko Righi and Enzo Muro on camera, had won the Italian Nationals 2007 with a 17.2 average. Team speaker Mirko Righi reported that his team began to prepare for another year of hard training, including the World Championship of Formation Skydiving in the plans.

He said that the team had one personnel change at the end of the 2007 season. Enea Savorelli left the Spin Team, and Marco Arrigo accepted the offer to fill the slot for the new Italian 4-way champion.

The Spin Team members were excited to have a world-class 4-way competitor join the 2008 lineup. High hopes came along with the extensive training plans for the 2008 season. In fact, the Spin Team is currently getting ready for their 10-day trip to Eloy, Arizona, where they will train and also compete at the Valentine's Meet 2008.

Mirko Righi added that his team has the goal to challenge the best teams in the world for medals at the World Championship of Formation Skydiving in 2010. He thinks that the team has the potential to do so with Marco Arrigo in the new lineup:

"With Marco Arrigo becoming part of our team, we have greatly improved our possibility to reach new levels of skills and potential. Moreover, this gives us the opportunity to learn how to become serious competitors, as well as giving us a certainty of doing well this year in France."

However, chances are still little that the sanctioning Italian association will send the Spin Team to the World Meet in France. The new member has created big hopes and is the biggest obstacle at the same time, as FIPAS explained in the response to the team.

Mirko Righi summarized the FIPAS reasons for declining the team's request for Marco Arrigo's eligibility:

"Judging by the scoring averages obtained in the last few years and comparing them to the current top results in Europe and the world, the team would rank only between 12th and 14th place.

The integration of a new team member would not allow the necessary time needed to make the improvements for such a high-profile competition, even if the new team member is already on an international top level.

The new team member is also a member of the Italian national 8-way team, which already won bronze medals at the European Championship 2007 and FAI World Cup 2007. The team also placed 4th at the World Championship in Germany 2006. The 8-way team is believed to be able to reach at least the 3rd place at the next World Championship of Formation Skydiving this year. The participation of one athlete in two events held simultaneously and with two completely different competition levels could result in a lower level of achievement in both events, especially in 8-way."

The Spin Team was obviously not very happy with this response and filed an appeal to the Italian association. Mirko Righi said that his team is currently waiting for the new response and is still hopeful:

"It would be the first time that a team that won the Italian Nationals would not be permitted to compete at the World Championship. If this is the case, then no team with an average of 17.2 or lower would ever be given the chance to compete at such an important event. We believe that Italy needs serious competitors. We would be denied the opportunity to grow and learn at top events if we are not allowed to compete at the World Championship. This opportunity is the best way to learn and compete with the best teams and competitors in the world."

Both sides have their points and will probably exchange more arguments. The Italian association will eventually have to make a final decision. The NSL News will follow up later.