posted Jun 28th, 2004 - On June 19-20 at Skydive Dallas, the Texas Skydiving League had its second meet for the 2004 season. Eleven teams competed in three categories of 4-way on Saturday and four teams competed in a single category of 8-way on Sunday. On Saturday, there were six teams in the AAA Class, including five teams registered for the season and one guest team. There were another four teams in AA and one team in the Rookie Class. The weather was beautiful in the early Texas morning as the league director, Ryan Smith, the chief judge Sherry Schrimscher, and the DZ manager Joe Rekart briefed the competitors.

The day started off with a nice pace. The first two rounds went without a hitch. Unfortunately, the clouds started building and during round three there was a weather hold. The last load of teams had to wait to complete round three. During the weather hold, the judges informed the meet director of their interpretation of the inter on Block 12 (Zipper - Star) since several of the AAA Class teams were busted on that inter for not showing intent to rotate the back piece sufficiently. Not surprisingly, a controversy ensued. The judges were firm in their interpretation and the busts stood. However, there will be a forthcoming separate article on the various interpretations of Block 12 that were discussed, which will include input from the judges and competitors involved.

Luckily, the weather cleared and round three completed and round four was started with high hopes. Once again, clouds built up in the humid Texas afternoon. The second weather hold was much shorter and before long round four completed. Considering the ominous forecast for Sunday, and the fact that round five could not be completed before sunset on Saturday, the meet was called after four rounds. The teams in attendance were all excited about the rounds completed while at the same time disappointed that they were not able to complete all six rounds. Most teams considered rounds five and six to be the faster rounds of the meet.

Dallas Thunder (Dave Burton, Ryan Smith, Jim Klinge, Scott Latinis and Clint Hillis on video) won the AAA Class by a very decisive 14 points in just four rounds. Rave followed by Dallas Tantrum rounded out the top three in the AAA Class. The AA Class was also a decisive win by 4 of a Kind. This team is brand new this year from Skydive Spaceland. Their usual line-up is Kirsten Hardmant, Kim Murphy, Kim Airhart and Jorge Alvarez with Cory Kossan on video. They picked up Angela Lanier to fly inside center as Jorge was unable to make the trip to Dallas and won the division by just under two points per round. Avalanche of Dallas and 4 Fun from San Marcos respectively rounded out the top three in the AA Class.

The Rookie Class had one team, Funnel U from Dallas. The TSL is excited to have a Rookie division that not all leagues do. Please help us get the word out to younger jumpers. After the meet and the 8-way draw, Skydive Dallas provided a keg of beer, and cooked burgers for all of the competitors, judges and staff rounding out the day as only Skydive Dallas could.

Sunday morning had four teams present for the 8-way meet. Skydive Dallas had three teams in attendance and Skydive Spaceland’s Deguello9 made the trip for the first 8-way meet of the season. Sunday dawned overcast. The 36 competitors were quietly patient. Just after noon the skies cleared and the competition was under way. The first round went quickly. But once again the clouds built and the first load of round two came down with the airplane. Sunday afternoon, after meeting with the team captains, Ryan decided to call the meet with one round complete.

Spaceland’s Deguello9 won the meet by one point scoring 10 points compared to Dallas Thunder’s 9 in the first and only round. This is going to be a great competition to watch as the season progresses. Dallas Lightening scored 7 points to round out the top three in 8-way.

As always, Skydive Dallas did an excellent job putting on this meet. They handled the pressures of trying to get competition rounds completed during rapidly changing weather and kept the loads moving as soon as possible without compromising safety for the jumpers. The meet/league director, Ryan Smith, had some tough calls to make and was the epitome of fair and inclusive leadership. The judging staff, headed up by Sherry Schrimsher, worked hard and was absolutely fair in the application of their decisions. Again, look for a forthcoming article about their interpretation of Block 12 in the near future. All of the scores from the meet can be found at the Texas Skydiving League web site.

Meet story provided by Sherry Dodson