posted Jun 11th, 2008 - The NSL News story on 21 May 2008 brought the sad news that Fastrax Blue member Kelley Frederickson had died in her sleep at night in the middle of a training camp in Perris. Fastrax founder John Hart wrote "A tribute to our friend" that was posted with the same story.

Kelley's three Fastrax Blue team mates, Becky Broccato (Tail), Erin Murphy (Outside Center) and Brianne Thompson (Inside Center) took some time off and then decided recently to continue the team project with a new member in the Point position. Perris Fury's Center Outside Christy Frikken agreed to fill the slot until the conclusion of the World Championship of Formation Skydiving in August.

Fastrax Blue has been considered one of the medal contenders at this year's World Meet in France. The team members never left a doubt that a set of medals was this year's goal. The lineup of 2007 and 2008 visited the NSL News office for a live interview on 21 March 2007. The video of the interview can still be viewed by clicking here.

The tragedy of Kelley Frederickson's death hit Fastrax Blue when the team was in the final stage of preparations for the competition in France, which was supposed to become the peak of the 2-year project.

Kelley Frederickson was not only a very strong player in the air, she was also the lively and inspiring heart and soul of the team. It was very difficult and challenging for Fastrax Blue to even consider a replacement and then to find an adequant new player.

Perris Fury's bad luck with Chris Farina's recent injury turned out to have a good side for Fastrax Blue, eventually. His back injury forces Fury's Center Inside to take a longer break, and Perris Fury will not be able to train or compete for a while, at least not with the original lineup.

Fastrax Blue's coach Thomas Hughes will fill the open Perris Fury slot at the upcoming Paraclete XP Money Meet 2008. Other "ringers" will also help to keep Perris Fury in shape while Chris Farina cannot jump. However, Christy Frikken was in a position where she could help out Fastrax Blue and commit to jump with the team throughout the World Meet 2008.

This is surely a fortunate break for Fastrax Blue. The US national team in the female category could not get a better and more current substitute than Skydiving Magazine's "Skydiver of the Year 2007". Christy Frikken flies the Center Outside position for a world-class team in the Open category and is naturally very familiar with the Point slot of the front piece.

The right-hand door exit from the Pilatus Porter will be challenging even for the world-class competitor who is used to exits from the Twinotter. However, Fastrax Blue is already well trained from the Porter door, which will make it much easier for Christy Frikken to master the new exit slot.

Natasha Montgomery, still reigning 4-way world champion with DeLand Fire and Skydiving Magazine's "Skydiver of the Year 2006", instantly offered her help, too, when she heard of Kelley Frederickson's sudden death. She has not trained and competed much ever since the World Meet in Germany 2006. However, she was ready to step in if it became necessary.

Fastrax Blue eventually decided to ask Christy Frikken to fill the slot. The team members already knew her well from training camps in Perris, and she is also in full training swing with her current team. The new situation with Christy Frikken filling the Point slot will most likely allow the US team to continue without too much of a setback. Kelley Frederickson's unique team spirit will still be there to guide the team.