posted Sep 13th, 2010 - It was in September 1999, more than a decade ago, when the Golden Knights won their last gold medals at the USPA Nationals. Three hurricanes were lined up over the Atlantic Ocean to hit Florida and to make life miserable for the teams and competitors in Sebastian. The Golden Knights were best prepared and won by two points over Airspeed (213 - 211).

However, Arizona Airspeed had already taken over the 8-way competition in the USA after winning the USPA Nationals in 1998 and was the US national 8-way team for the World Meet 1999 in Australia. The USPA Nationals 1999 in Sebastian were scheduled before the World Meet in the same year. It was not the greatest situation for Airspeed to travel to Australia after being defeated at home.

Airspeed digested the situation successfully and won the gold medals for the USA in Australia after a 2-point battle with Russia. Airspeed has won the 8-way competition at the USPA Nationals ever since.

The Golden Knights tried to take back the 8-way gold medals from Airspeed the first time last year after Brian "BK" Krause had been ordered to recruit a new 8-way team for the US Army. Airspeed defended the 8-way title successfully without any training and then handed the 8-way tickets to the World Championship of Formation Skydiving 2010 in Menzelinsk to the Golden Knights.

The US Army team could not defeat the French 8-way machine in Russia. However, the Golden Knights, with several young competitors in the lineup, came back with silver medals and as hardened 8-way competitors after a nerve wrecking battle.

This time, the USPA Nationals were scheduled after the World Meet, and Arizona Airspeed is back to defend the title, once again after one training jump on Sunday. Jack Jefferies made a few more jumps in 2010 compared to 2009, as he attended the AZ Challenge this year. Dennis Rook made two jumps after Round 10 at the USPA Nationals 2009, plus the training jump on Sunday. The lineup is identical with the one at last year's national championships.

USPA Nationals 2010 - 8way competition and NSL Talk with Coach Bill Wenger

The situation is much more challenging this year, of course, as it would be a little miracle if Airspeed would be able to keep up with the extremely well prepared Golden Knights. The US Army team won Round 1 as expected. However, Airspeed was then able to tie the Golden Knights' scores in Round 2 and Round 3.

The NSL TV camera followed Airspeed on Sunday afternoon, and the NSL News had a few questions for Airspeed members after the first two rounds on Monday. Unfortunately, there were technical flaws with the audio system, and the short interviews were gobbled up. The same happened when Eric Heinsheimer explained the situation in 1999.

Kurt Isenbarger and Matt Davidson were training and competing with the Golden Knights in 1999, and they are members of the current lineup, as well. They will most likely take back their 8-way title 11 years later. Eric Heinsheimer, team mate of 1999, will enjoy watching this situation.

Jack Jefferies, Craig Girard, Dan BC and Mark Kirkby were Airspeed 8-way members in 1999, and they will probably have to accept that the 8-way winning streak at USPA Nationals is coming to an end.

Several of their team mates in 1999 are also at Skydive Chicago now, and they try to give Golden Knights and Airspeed their own competition. Gary Beyer, Kirk Verner and Johnny Eagle compete once again for Paraclete XP8, USPA bronze medalist of 2009. The 8-way competition is in full swing.

The NSL News invited Meet Director and USPA's Chair of the Competition Committee, Coach Bill Wenger, for a live NSL Talk session in the meantime. The new NSL-TV video includes this interview.