posted Jul 5th, 2005 - The French 8-way team was two points ahead of Arizona Airspeed after the first two rounds on Monday and had put up a very impressive performance especially in round two. The NSL News asked French national coach Jerome David for background information on the 8-way progression before round three began.

NSL News: Jerome, last time we talked you wanted to spend more time with the family, how did this work out?

Jerome David: Very good, better than in the years before because now I have many technical coaches that work for me on the drop zones. I am more behind the computer and the telephone working on the selection of the teams and the management people. I organize the logistic and the financial things, as well, and I have to synchronize the six coaches. Martial Ferre works in Gap, Marin Ferre in Vannes, Davide Moy travels to different locations, Erwan Pouliquen is technically in charge for the 8-way team, Julien Degen organizes in Maubeuge, and Sophie Deremaux works in Saumur. I have two team leaders, which are Manu Sarrazin for 8-way and Sophie Deremaux also for the female 4-way team. Inside the teams, I have people who are in charge of specific things and jobs.

NSL News: Sounds like there is not much work for You left.

Jerome David: Yes, my job is mostly on the telephone and the internet at home in the mountains, and I just organize the big machine, which consists of the 8-way and the 4-way Female, plus the five 4-way B-teams. I still have to go the competitions, and I am the technical coach for the girls, which is about one week per month far from home. It used to be three weeks per month for 15 years, now it is only one week per month. That allows me to be happy with my wife and my two lovely girls. I also studied mental training at the university. I am now a professional mental coach, not just for skydiving. I can work as a consultant with corporations, simlar to what Jack Jefferies has been doing.

NSL News: How is the 8-way competition going for You so far at the Malevsky Cup?

Jerome David: I am happy with the results after the first two rounds because Blocks 2 and 10 are the not consistent techniques for the team.

NSL News: So it can only get better?

Jerome David: Yes, exept that they still need the focus, especially for the next round, which is a fast one. You can lose everything. However, the meet is just beginning. We have seen in the past that skydiving always brings so many changes until the last round.

NSL News: The French 8-way team always seems to have a great first round if you look back at the last big meets, and then the performance drops for a while. This time, the second round was one of the best 8-way jumps i have ever seen. Is the French 8-way mentally stonger, or what has changed?

Jerome David: The group is not the same as in 2003. It is a completely new generation that was brought up through 4-way since 2000. They have been living together for five years. It is like a tribe with smartness, a good organisation, youth and energy. They are very well managed by Manu Sarrazin and Erwan Pouliquen. In this team, each member is a part of the management system at the same time. Everybody is involved and brings something to the table.

NSL News: Do you see it as an advantage that 4-way and 8-way are now separated in France?

Jerome David: Yes. Yesterday Airspeed was 14 hours on the drop zone, we spent only eight hours there.

NSL News: What does the team do to prepare for such a late start?

Jerome David: They went in the swimming pool, some were sleeping, no stress activities.

NSL News: Airspeed still tries to win both 4-way and 8-way. How do you see their chances nationally and internationally?

Jerome David: For me, that is a wonderful dream, and dreming is a most important thing to achieve things. So I think they are right in trying to do it. I have no regrets that we tried it ourselves in 2003. I am sure that one day we will try it again, maybe in 2008. I am sure that some day somebody will succeed. You need four or six years to achieve such a task.

NSL News: Thank You very much for the interview, Jerome.