posted May 16th, 2006 - Jump plane maintenance was not a problem at the hosting skydiving center of the first Grand Prix 2006 meet in the United Kingdom, the Northwest Parachute Center Cark. However, the weather was not much better than it was in Iowa last weekend, and both events did not get started.

Andy Scott reported from overseas that 16 teams had entered across the board and were ready for the first round. The meet was provisionally re-scheduled for September 16-17 and now coincides with the date of the NSL Playoffs 2006. The new date still needs to be confirmed this week.

Andy Scott explained that the venue for the meet in the United Kingdom in Cark is in the lake district, "which lived up to its name and was cloudy and moist." It was hot and sunny for the practice jumps on Friday, which went well with the beautiful back drop of Lake Windermere. Everything was set up for a great event:

"We had 4-way world champion and national champion couple Liz and Ian Mathews on hand all weekend to provide the free coaching. The expenses were paid for by the British Parachute Association, the coaching was donated for free by them."

Despite not getting to jump the meet, the competitors who had mostly signed up for the A Class, got great help with planning the dives. The top BPA judges Kate and Bob Charters have already confirmed that they can support the new proposed weekend in September. The next UK Grand Prix competition is scheduled for June 10-11 at BPS Langar.

The competition of the Brazilian 4-way league was finally the only event that took place and was completed after six rounds last weekend. The scores of the three participating teams have already been posted. The Brazilian national 4-way team CTR Optimum used the opportunity to get more competition practice before traveling to Arizona for the first training camp this year.

CTR Optimum is already registered for the 4-way event at the World Meet 2006 in Germany. The Brazilian team will stay in Arizona until the end of May. The 12.8 meet average last weekend is the starting point for the scoring progression of the 2006 season in Brazil.