posted Aug 6th, 2011 - The new video clip features the complete Round 7 of the two top teams in 8way, Aerodyne Maubeuge and Golden Knights. The video includes the competition jumps which are embedded at the proper spot, right after the teams boarded the plane and took off. Then it shows the landings and the first reactions, plus the live judging on DZ-TV while the crowd and the teams are watching.

The Golden Knights obviously lost the 4-point lead in Round 7, but the damage of the day was not even complete yet. Aerodyne Maubeuge won another point in Round 8 and took the lead for the first time. It has been a French uphill battle so far with the goal to keep close to the US team. It is somehow even a surprise for the French 8way competitors to be in the lead.

The table has turned, and now the French team has to defend the super thin 1-point lead. The 8way competition was expected to be a horse race, and that's what it is. Rounds 9 and 10 are coming after the completion of the 4way event.

The French 8way team may be able to get advice from the national team in the female 4way category how to defend a lead and a title. The Aerodyne Deep Blue Defenders' mission is to defend the French 4way title that the 2010 lineup won in Menzelinsk, Russia. They accomplished the first step of the mission without much trouble.

Russia's new Illusion's lineup shocked the Defenders and impressed the audience here and there with a highscore for a round. It was still not enough to seriously threaten the female world champions. They moved on without looking back each time it happened. However, France has more than only the Russian reason to continue taking the preparations for the World Meet 2012 seriously. The USA will probably have a top contender after the USPA Nationals 2011, as well.

The Golden Knights had the strong CISM lineup in Saarlouis, and the 15.3 average is probably even more than what coach Brian "BK" Krause expected. It is still too far away from the French scores at the moment to become a serious contender for gold in Dubai next year. And then there is still the USPA Nationals first, which is the qualification event, either this year for 2012 or possibly next year. The NSL News has scheduled a meeting with the Aerodyne Deep Blue Defenders later today for a new NSL Talk session.