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This page will be updated once a week with the latest news from the "National Skydiving League". Special thanks to Kurt Gaebel, founder of the league and webmaster of its web site. |
Eleven Nations are Competing in EloyThe World Cup of Formation Skydiving has attracted the best teams in the world to Skydive Arizona. Only the United Kingdom does not have its best team on site in Eloy. Sebastian XL is missing the competition. 4Pak is representing the UK. Four U.S. teams (Airspeed Vertical, Airspeed Zulu, FX and DeLand PD Blue) will take on the rest of the world. France Perris-Maubeuge and the DeLand Norgies will be the top contenders for the U.S. teams in 4-way. The United States and Russia showed up with the largest delegations. On Saturday, teams were in the air for the official training jumps.
|
More on
NSL's web site |
The opening ceremony began at 3:30 p.m. The host put together a great show for the competitors and the spectators. Skydiving veteran Dan Pointer introduced the history of skydiving to the crowd while parachutes were dropping in at the same time, according to the progression of the parachute design of the past 30 years. In the beginning, the crowd had the chance to see some daring landings of round parachutes right in front of their eyes. The landing parachutes were showing the progression of the flight performance until the show was completed with a formation of eight Airspeed Stilettos swooping the landing area.
The opening ceremony was followed by the competition draw. For today, the meet management scheduled five rounds of 4-way competition. The jumps and the scores can be viewed at the Omniskore website. The whole competition will also become part of a TV show on the Discovery Channel. IPC Chairman, Pal Bergan, announced the exciting news that a long-term contract has been signed to cover the World Air Games. More details will be posted later on NSL's website. |
New LeaguesNew leagues are in the works. The NSL landscape for 2001 may be changing again. Since the beginning of the National Skydiving League project in 1996/97, new leagues have been growing every year all around the country. It still seems as if the completion of the progression has not yet been reached. There are more efforts for new leagues in the works in regions that have not participated in the National Skydiving League so far.
Freefall Adventures at Cross Keys is seriously considering setting up a new league or joining efforts with existing or new leagues in the area. Pennsylvania may create a new league in the same area. The Chambersburg Skydiving Center is trying to initiate the efforts. Cross Keys and Chambersburg have traditionally been involved in 4-way competition business. Michigan is another state with a lot of skydiving activities and eager competitors. Skydive Hastings would like to be involved in the league business. The Midwest Skydiving League and the Great Lakes Skydiving League seem to be too far away for Michigan skydivers to join, with a few exceptions.
Sandy Grillet is preparing another launch of a league in the northern central region, including parts of Iowa, Minnesota, eastern Nebraska and southeastern South Dakota. Finally, Matthew Cline has already been working on the new Southeastern Skydiving League for a while. This league will include Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama. Contact information and current status of the potential new leagues will be posted regularly. Inquiries can be send to the NSL headquarters at nsl@skyleague.com. |
How many alternates were competing in Cedartown?The NSL Playoffs 2000 had a few teams competing with alternates filling slots for their usual team members. The alternate situation was very interesting with only a few competitors available for the meet.
Prior to the competition, the DeLand Chain Gang and Frost canceled their participation since they were unable to fill open slots. Beginning on the top, DeLand PD Blue's center inside, Kyle Collins, was not available. Blue's usual alternate, Ian Bellis of team PD Gold, had to compete with his own team. After Advanced Class 2000 Champion Teiwaz had decided not to compete at the playoffs, and Teiwaz member Kurt Gaebel became available. He did not hesitate very long to commit to this exciting opportunity. There was not time for training.
The first competition jump would be the first jump ever for this group. PD Gold was in an even more interesting situation. Their normal tail, Edward "Bushman" Anderson, had not recovered from a shoulder injury. After trying to find other FL competitors, the team finally decided to have PD Blue's videographer, Eric Taylor, filling the slot. Gold's videographer, Rob Harrick, had to film both teams, now. However, Taylor had never competed and seriously trained 4-way before. His performance at the meet was very impressive. Gold had a very exciting race for the eighth qualification slot for the NSL Championship 2000 with Ranch Equinox (Ranch Skydiving League) and P.A.H. (Carolina Skydiving League). Gold with Taylor succeeded to win the seventh slot after the six rounds on Saturday. Both Gaebel and Taylor made their best skydives ever.
The list of teams with alternates is still not complete. Raeford Express had former Golden Knight Matt Davidson filling a slot. Davidson obviously helped the team's performance to the best meet score in team history. The result was the bronze medal of the Eastern Skies Championship. Raeford Express managed to beat Nemesis in the competition for the third place by one single point. Nemesis was one more team competing with an alternate. Jim Goempel of the Chain Gang filled Christopher Golden's tail slot in Cedartown. Goempel was Chain Gang's center outside for the whole 2000 season. He filled the tail slot well enough for a Nemesis performance almost on their usual scoring level. Last but not least, Adam Wheeler filled the point slot for Mr. Pink. Wheeler was directing the 2000 season of the Carolina Skydiving League and was glad to get the opportunity to compete at the playoffs. Mr. Pink maintained their usual performance level as the other teams did. Good jobs by the alternates. Only PD Blue's scores dropped significantly. NSL President Gaebel may need some extra training. The whole meet report with more information and pictures will be posted soon on skydive leagues web site at www.skyleague.com. |
Florida Skydiving League 2001 SeasonThe competition in the Florida Skydiving League has always been quite exciting with some of the best teams in the world participating in the past years. However, the upcoming 2001 season may even become the highlight of the FSL history. A few new teams have already started to plan for the 2001 season. This means that the Intermediate Class will most likely become a much stronger part of the FSL.
For the 2000 season, there were only two teams registered for the Intermediate/Rookie Class. Most of this year's Advanced Class teams seem to be planning and preparing for the 2001 season. And then, there is the Open Class with a field that may offer a little World Meet each month in Florida. Four of the best teams in the world will be located and training in Florida. The DeLand Norgies, current bronze medalist of the last World Meet, will spend the whole winter and spring in DeLand. Sebastian XL, the British national 4-way team, is back in business, supported by Skydive Sebastian. DeLand PD Blue will hopefully continue the team career. Last not least, FX still wants to win the U.S. Nationals for the first time.
There may be even a chance that the Golden Knights could participate in the FSL season meets. The 2001 season is still far away. Many things have to be arranged and organized for the top teams before the new season will begin. However, if these five teams decide to participate fully in the Florida Skydiving League, then each season meet will offer the quality of a World Meet. The top teams could push each other to the limits and to the highest performances in history. Hopefully, they will all be able to make the whole FSL 2001 season and bring more excitement to the FSL than ever before. |
| National Skydive League - Calendar 2000 |
| Date |
League |
Event |
Location |
Contact |
| 01/23 |
Florida Skydiving League |
Season Meet 1 |
Skydive Sebastian |
FSL@skyleague.com |
| 02/27 |
Florida Skydiving League |
Season Meet 2 |
Williston Skydivers |
FSL@skyleague.com |
| 03/25 |
Southwest Skydiving League |
Season Meet 1 |
Skydive Arizona |
GDHarding@aol.com |
| 03/26 |
Florida Skydiving League |
Season Meet 3 |
Skydive Space Center |
FSL@skyleague.com |
| 04/08-09 |
Georgia Skydiving League |
Season Meet 1 |
Skydive Atlanta |
mrpink1@mindspring.com |
| 04/22-24 |
The Ranch Skydiving League |
Season Meet 1 |
The Ranch, Gardiner, NY |
blskyranch@aol.com |
| 04/23 |
Florida Skydiving League |
Season Meet 4 |
Skydive De Land |
FSL@skyleague.com |
| 04/29 |
Southwest Skydiving League |
Season Meet 2 |
Elsinore Skydiving |
GDHarding@aol.com |
| 04/29-30 |
Texas Skydiving League |
Season Meet 1 |
Skydive San Marcos |
joehazel@flash.net |
| 05/06-07 |
Georgia Skydiving League |
Season Meet 2 |
Adventure Skydiving |
mrpink1@mindspring.com |
| 05/20-21 |
Texas Skydiving League |
Season Meet 2 |
t.b.a. |
joehazel@flash.net |
| 05/20-21 |
Virginia Parachute Council |
Season Meet 1 |
Skydive Orange |
mailto:jcrouch@erols.com |
| 05/20-21 |
The Ranch Skydiving League |
Season Meet 2 |
The Ranch, Gardiner, NY |
blskyranch@aol.com |
| 05/27-28 |
Carolina Skydiving League |
Season Meet 1 |
Blue Sky Adventures |
skydivin@usa.net |
| 05/27-28 |
New England Skydiving League |
Season Meet 1 |
Skydive New England |
beth.murray@compaq.com |
| 05/27 |
Midwest Skydiving League |
Season Meet 1 |
Skydive Illinois |
freefall@execpc.com |
| 05/28 |
Florida Skydiving League |
Season Meet 5 |
Skydive Lake Wales |
FSL@skyleague.com |
| 06/10-11 |
Georgia Skydiving League |
Season Meet 3 |
Skydive Monroe |
mrpink1@mindspring.com |
| 06/24 |
Southwest Skydiving League |
Season Meet 3 |
Perris Valley
Skydiving |
GDHarding@aol.com |
| 06/24 |
Midwest Skydiving League |
Season Meet 2 |
Skydive Illinois |
freefall@execpc.com |
| 06/24 |
Colorado Skydiving League |
Season Meet 1 |
Front Range Skydivers |
Jumpnkeith@aol.com |
| 06/24-25 |
Carolina Skydiving League |
Season Meet 2 |
t.b.a. |
skydivin@usa.net |
| 06/24-25 |
The Ranch Skydiving League |
Season Meet 3 |
The Ranch, Gardiner, NY |
blskyranch@aol.com |
| 06/24-25 |
New England Skydiving League |
Season Meet 2 |
Pepperell Skydive Center |
beth.murray@compaq.com |
| 06/24-25 |
Virginia Parachute Council |
Season Meet 2 |
Skydive The Point |
mailto:jcrouch@erols.com |
| 06/25 |
Florida Skydiving League |
Season Meet 6 |
Skydive America |
FSL@skyleague.com |
| 06/24-25 |
Texas Skydiving League |
Season Meet 3 |
t.b.a. |
joehazel@flash.net |
| 06/23-25 |
Great Lakes Skydiving League |
Season Meet 1 |
Aerohio |
info@aerohio.com |
| 07/08-09 |
Georgia Skydiving League |
Season Meet 4 |
Air Ventures Skydiving Center |
mrpink1@mindspring.com |
| 07/15-16 |
Great Lakes Skydiving League |
Season Meet 2 |
Pittsburgh Skydiving Center |
info@aerohio.com |
| 07/15-16 |
Texas Skydiving League |
Season Meet 4 |
t.b.a. |
joehazel@flash.net |
| 07/22 |
Southwest Skydiving League |
Season Meet 4 |
Elsinore Skydiving |
GDHarding@aol.com |
| 07/22-23 |
Virginia Parachute Council |
Season Meet 3 |
Skydive Suffolk |
mailto:jcrouch@erols.com |
| 07/22-23 |
The Ranch Skydiving League |
Season Meet 4 |
The Ranch, Gardiner, NY |
blskyranch@aol.com |
| 07/22-23 |
New England Skydiving League |
Season Meet 3 |
Skydive New England |
beth.murray@compaq.com |
| 07/22 |
Colorado Skydiving League |
Season Meet 2 |
Mile Hi Skydiving Center |
Jumpnkeith@aol.com |
| 07/23 |
Florida Skydiving League |
Season Meet 7 |
Skydive City |
FSL@skyleague.com |
| 07/29-30 |
Carolina Skydiving League |
Season Meet 3 |
t.b.a. |
skydivin@usa.net |
| 07/29 |
Midwest Skydiving League |
Season Meet 3 |
Chicagoland Skydiving |
freefall@execpc.com |
| 08/19 |
Southwest Skydiving League |
Season Meet 5 |
Perris Valley
Skydiving |
GDHarding@aol.com |
| 08/19 |
Colorado Skydiving League |
Season Meet 3 |
Front Range Skydivers |
Jumpnkeith@aol.com |
| 08/19-20 |
Great Lakes Skydiving League |
Season Meet 3 |
Greene County Skydiving |
info@aerohio.com |
| 08/19-20 |
Texas Skydiving League |
Season Meet 5 |
t.b.a. |
joehazel@flash.net |
| 08/26-27 |
Carolina Skydiving League |
Season Meet 4 |
t.b.a. |
skydivin@usa.net |
| 08/26-27 |
Virginia Parachute Council |
Season Meet 4 |
Skydive Virginia |
mailto:jcrouch@erols.com |
| 08/26-27 |
Georgia Skydiving League |
Season Meet 5 |
Skydive Atlanta |
mrpink1@mindspring.com |
| 08/26 |
Midwest Skydiving League |
Season Meet 4 |
Chicagoland Skydiving |
freefall@execpc.com |
| 08/27 |
Florida Skydiving League |
Season Meet 8 |
Skydive De Land |
FSL@skyleague.com |
| 09/09-10 |
Great Lakes Skydiving League |
Season Meet 4 |
Aerohio |
info@aerohio.com |
| 09/09-10 |
Texas Skydiving League |
Season Meet 6 |
t.b.a. |
joehazel@flash.net |
| 09/16-17 |
The Ranch Skydiving League |
Season Meet 6 |
The Ranch, Gardiner, NY |
blskyranch@aol.com |
| 09/16 |
Southwest Skydiving League |
Season Meet 6 |
Skydive Arizona |
GDHarding@aol.com |
| 09/23-24 |
New England Skydiving League |
Season Meet 4 |
Pepperell Skydive Center |
beth.murray@compaq.com |
| 10/21-22 |
National Skydiving League |
Playoffs Western Skies |
Skydive Dallas |
NSL@skyleague.com |
| 10/28-29 |
National Skydiving League |
Playoffs Eastern Skies |
Georgia |
NSL@skyleague.com |
| 11/18-19 |
National Skydiving League |
Championship 2000 |
Skydive DeLand |
NSL@skyleague.com |
...more on Skydive League's Website
|
