posted Jul 26th, 2011 - The NSL News mentioned in earlier stories how the United Kingdom is on the move to become one of the powerhouses of Formation Skydiving competition in the world. The UK delegation for the World Cup 2011 is one of the biggest and consists of four 4way teams (Sonicnutz, Escondido, Unagi and Bodyflight Aerodyne) and one 8way team (Brit Chicks). As the teams prepare for the meet, NSL News correspondent and Brit Chicks Center Inside Jo Hawley considers their prospects.

4way Open: SonicNutz

Having attended the 2009 World Cup, SonicNutz are looking forward to another successful international meet to test their form under competition conditions. Point Helen Arnold is looking forward to the whole experience: “The World Cup in the Czech Republic 2009 was an incredible experience and I loved watching all the world class competitors and being part of such a fantastic event.”

SonicNutz are the strongest 4way team to represent the UK at the World Cup this year. Having recently taken gold with a 19-point average in a UK Skydiving League competition, the team is focusing on consistency for the meet in Germany, but are also out to impress onlookers with some strong performances.

The top UK in the AAA Class team have had a significant training program this year with four training camps in Deland, Skydive Spain and Hibaldstow and by keeping the same line up, have been able to build directly on last season’s success They feel that they have really made progress during their speed phase, worked hard on B slots and exits and see the World Cup as an opportunity to showcase their skills ahead of the UK Nationals later in August.

4way Open: Escondido

Escondido is the UK’s longest running 4way team now in their 8th year, surviving several lineup changes. Their team approach has always been extremely supportive to one another and to other jumpers making them a fun and popular team.

Despite limited training budgets, injury and a growing desire to dabble in wingsuiting, the team has always pulled off impressive scores including the 14.7 average in the most recent UKSL meet.

Point Brian Cumming has fond memories of 2009, as well: “My best memories are of holding onto the Fun Flag long enough to get a photo but unfortunately not much longer! Also being asked to land in front of the school children who'd come to watch and getting a high five from all of them on the walk back in.” Having enjoyed the 2009 World Cup, the team has focused on the German meet as their goal for the year, and they will be looking to post strong scores, enjoy themselves and put the “Dido” stamp on the event.

4way Open: Unagi

Unagi have had a golden career in the lower categories and are now adjusting to life in the AAA Class. They have trained hard to post good averages in their first year in the top category and will be looking to deliver around a 12-point average at the World Cup.

They see the meet as a great experience for themselves as individuals and as a team and might just be the UK’s key weapon in the battle for the Fun Flag. Tail Peter Mather confessed: “I only recently heard about the Fun Flag, but I will make sure that the UK challenges for it. It takes a bit of subtlety to get it I reckon, but anyone who knows me knows that “subtlety” is my middle name. Bring it on!”

4way Women: Bodyflight Aerodyne

Bodyflight Aerodyne is the UK’s team in the female 4way category and is a mixture of seasoned 4way jumpers – former world champions Sarah Cannon and Amanda Kemp – and two jumpers new to the AAA Class – sisters Rebecca and Victoria Bradley. Rebecca recalls learning the new blocks and slot switching: “Our heads were literally spinning with all the information we had to take in. Thankfully Sarah and Amanda are excellent coaches and very patient team mates!”

In addition to tunnel training, the team has completed two camps at Skydive Perris where running for back to backs in the California heat was a bit of a shock to the sisters’ system! Despite the mix of experience, the team’s hard work has begun to pay off with them taking bronze at the recent UKSL meet with a 15.3 average.

Rebecca told the NSL News: “We’ve progressed a lot over the season but only tested ourselves in one real meet thus far, so this is a bit of a consolidation competition for us. Our other goal is to thoroughly enjoy ourselves. We do our best skydiving when we’re having fun, so expect to see smiley faces and lots of laughter from our corner of the Team GB tent!”

8way Open: Brit Chicks 8

Having taken the 8way silver medals at the last two years’ UK Nationals, Brit Chicks have gold in their sights this year and see the World Cup as a key competition to test their new lineup ahead of the domestic meet.

On the back of lots of tunnel training in Bodyflight Bedford (where they can do almost all of the formations without them being too much of a squeeze), they have been posting good averages during their training camps at Raeford and Hibaldstow.

The ladies are less easy to spot than in previous years having had problems with their traditional red jumpsuits causing problems for the judges, with the colour bleeding on the scoring system screens. Not wanting to be boring, team members Aillie and Michelle (the Brit Chicks’ answer to Dolce and Gabbana) worked together to choose a new judging friendly colour scheme and design incorporating union jack butterflies, bringing a feminine touch to the 8way category.

Rear diver Michelle Meakins commented: “We’ve worked really hard all year on our fitness, competition mindsets and flying skills. We are proud to be the only 8way women’s team representing the UK and can’t wait to show the world what we’ve got!”

The NSL News will be reporting live from the competition site in Saarlouis, Germany, beginning on Monday.