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Did You Know...

... that coach Solly Williams has the Golden Knights seeded in the top spot?

Start of the coaching job in 2014
posted Jan 27th, 2016 - The Sun Path Products NSL News has recently used internet services to record live NSL Talk conversations with participants from all over the planet. The latest NSL Talk took place this morning, live at the same time and also at the same place - the NSL office in DeLand.

Solly Williams, DeLand Majik 4-way world champion of 2004 and professional coach, still resides in the same town that he moved to after winning the bronze medals for South Africa's national 4-way team Equanimity in 1997. He visited the NSL office on Wednesday morning for a new conversation in the Coaches Corner.

Solly Williams was hired by the U.S. Army in 2014 to work as the coach for the Golden Knights and bring the national team in 4-way Women to the top spot in the world.

DeLand Majik at the USPA Nationals 2003
The Golden Knights have not won the gold medals yet, after silver in 2012 and 2014. However, Solly Williams and his team know that they have practically taken the top spot and are unofficially seeded in the pole position of the current world rankings and in the race for the gold medals at the Mondial 2016.

Solly Williams provided an update after the Golden Knights' unfortunate trip to Europe for the Wind Games 2016. He mentioned that Dannielle Woosley, the team's tail, is dealing with a similar injury that he experienced in the middle of the Majik 4-way career.

Solly Williams was in the same tail slot and eventually needed surgery to fix a bulging spinal disk in his neck/shoulder area. This could turn out as a good sign for the Golden Knights, as DeLand Majik won the gold medals before Solly Williams had his successful surgery.

RankTeam World Rankings 4-way WomenAveragesBest 3
1Golden Knights23.3 - 22.4 - 22.722.8
2French Girls19.9 - 20.3 - 21.3 - 22.421.3
3NFTO16.4 - 16.516.5
4Parachute Montreal Fuzion15.7 - 17.116.4
5Kewara14.814.8
6Infra Red Band13.3 - 13.5 - 15.114.0
7Dubai Asaar Ladies15.3 - 11.413.4
8Bellatrix12.9 - 13.113.0
9Les Stunts12.512.5
10Camdak.is12.112.1
USPA silver in 2011: Golden Knights Gold
The Golden Knights coach said that the 2016 season could be the last one for the current lineup. It is easy to see that gold medals at the Mondial 2016 would make for a great ending. The U.S. Army team also wants to use the World Challenge to peak with indoor performance. Goal is to get closer than ever to the very top level in 4-way competition, including the 4-way Open Class teams.

In the meantime, the outdoor training continues this month in Florida, and the Shamrock Showdown 2016 will be the first serious test this year.

The Golden Knights plan to have 80 - 100 jumps completed before the annual outdoor competition in DeLand.

The Golden Knights might also be closer than ever to the U.S. top level in 4-way Open Class competition after a year of full training. The USPA Nationals will finish off the 2016 season for this lineup. Personnel changes for Arizona Airspeed and SDC Rhythm XP both could offer another opportunity in Eloy. It was the Golden Knights Gold lineup of 2011 (Sean Sweeney, Brian Krause, Kurt Isenbarger, Matt Davidson, with Drew Starr on camera) who won the last USPA 4-way silver medals for the U.S. Army team. However, the 1st place in 4-way Women at the Mondial 2016 is the most important goal.

Paraclete Indoor 2013
12345678910TotalAvg
RankAAA Class18,O,219,9,13A,8,D,J10,F,Q,22M,C,4,B3,L,2017,12,511,1,EN,16,1421,K,H,6TotalAvg
1Arizona Airspeed2326312533232523232926126.1
2Just In Time2223312331212323212724524.5
3SDC Rhythm XP2423272333212122212524024.0
4USA CAN2221292032242321182423423.4
5Carolina Turbo XP1821261825181919152220120.1
6Old Gregg1415191622101415141615515.5
7Dallas En Fuego1415131718131411141514414.4
8Fugitives1616161319121210131414114.1
Current poll results
A conversation with a 4-way expert cannot take place at the beginning of this year without discussing the current situation of Arizona Airspeed. Solly Williams thinks that the current change in the lineup might invigorate the team and create new energy, while it is still a "tough mountain to climb".

He said that the team needs as much competition as possible with the new lineup, and the annual "Spring Tour" (Raeford - DeLand - Bedford) offers the perfect opportunity to collect a lot of competition experience within a short time period.

Solly Williams speaks highly of Mikhail Markine and his talent, and he thinks that he might be able to master the change from tail to point quickly enough. He was actually flying with him in SDC Rhythm XP's rear piece at the Paraclete XP Indoor Championship 2013 when new member Christy Frikken was not available. Chris Farina and Thiago Gomes had just moved to Arizona, and Mikhail Markine's former Vibe team mate Don Burnette outscored him with Josh Hall, Thiago Gomes and Uli Stuwe in the Just In Time lineup. Niklas Hemlin competed one more time for Airspeed at Paraclete before his 2-year break...

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