UK Grand Prix meet on July 8/9

posted Jul 12th, 2007 - By Chris Hollis

The recent wet conditions may have left parts of England underwater, but the sun shone over Hibaldstow on Saturday 7th July, as 24 teams gathered to compete in the latest UK Grand Prix event.

AAA Class teams made a showing for the first time with four teams in the running. Four AA Class teams and six Rookie Class teams had registered, as well, but the most competitive category remained the A Class with ten teams going against each other.

The forecast had not been brilliant, so the high turnout was a good indication of how popular 4-way remains over here. Hibaldstow is also host to the UK Nationals 2007, and many of the competitors were using this event as essential competition training. The new CamScore scoring system was in place with all teams' judged footage being displayed on the TV monitors at various locations all around the DZ.

The impressive climb rate of two G92s and some cool manifesting by the ever-cheerful Lucy soon had all teams rocking through the rounds. Judging by Kate and Bob Charters and Karla Cole was soon being displayed. All of these judges have a wealth of world-class judging behind them, and many of the lesser experienced teams were caught out by their eagle eyes and busts were quite common!

Initial disappointment at being docked points was short-lived as all the judges told them what they did wrong, and more importantly - how to avoid penalties in the future! Thanks to Bob, Kate and Karla for this invaluable training!

Even with odd breaks for excessive cloud, most teams had completed the six rounds by Saturday evening with the remained finishing off on Sunday morning. Just in time to dodge the rain that hit on Sunday afternoon.

There were no big surprises in the AAA Class, as World Champion Female Team Elan (formerly Airkix) lead the field. The girls were very busy during the entire weekend. When not taking part in their own jumps they were all at the creeper pad or mock-up helping out the other teams and giving free coaching advice. Runners up behind Elan, team Fusion, have been together for two years and trained hard under the expert view of Craig Girard. Havoc in third are also in their second year having been part of the Bodyflight Bedford Project in 2006.

The AA Class competition was won by last year's A Class national champions, Wingnutz, who are putting their team training with Airspeed's Mark Kirkby to good use in their run-up to the Nationals. Another A Class team from last year, Escondido, having made the step up to the AA Class, were delighted to take the silver medals in their first meet of the year ahead of Fend 4 Yourself in 3rd place.

Arguably the most exciting category was the A Class, as most teams are of a similar standard. After three rounds, four teams were tied for third with 24 points, and two for second with 25 points, it couldn't be closer.

Once all the jumps were scored, the winners were Sonic-V. The team members are in their first year together, and having trained hard with John McIver in the windtunnel and in Spain are looking good with some calm skydives and good technique. With a fairly technical draw, they had a solid 8-point gap over the second place, but the runners up were still very close.

Phobia managed to pull off a good Round 5 and do just enough to beat Slightly Odd by a single point for the silver medals. Infringements affected the order here, but after the judging feedback, it'll be interesting to see how clean skydives affect the A Class leaderboard.

In the Rookie Class, 4-Play continues the team's successful year. Having won both previous Grand Prix, the local team was subject to serious challenge for the first time, as going into the last round they were neck and neck with Paradigm. 4-Play held their nerve and managed to secure the gold medals two points ahead of Paradigm. Strangers in the Night impressed everyone with a great score in the last round and the 3rd place. 4-Play has now amassed enough Grand Prix points to secure the overall Rookie Class title, so well done to them.

Out of the medals, but displaying what the NSL motto of '...Go Compete' is all about were West Coast Drifters, Colostomy and Cup Size. These teams may have only done a few points over the entire meet, but they had a great time and learned loads - probably getting more than their fair share of Elan coaching to boot! It's this spirit that makes Formation Skydiving meets so great. So, nice one, guys!

Thanks to Hibaldstow for organising and running such a great meet, Camscore for the impressive and universally liked judging system, the judges and all drop zone staff (yes, I did mention you by name, Lucy!), Team Elan for all the coaching and finally to all competitors for making the event have such a good vibe. See you all at the Nationals.