posted Oct 10th, 2006 - It has been quiet around the DeLand Fire members since the World Meet 2006, where Natasha Montgomery, Gary Smith, Shannon Pilcher, Ian Bobo and Jonathan Taggle won the gold medals in the 4-way competition.

The NSL News uploaded the video of an interview with Natasha Montgomery on September 5, and the story on October 4 offered information about the canopy piloting 4-way world champions of the PD Factory Team. This article mentioned that DeLand Fire has disbanded.

The NSL News asked the DeLand Fire members for an update and plans for the future. PD Factory Team members Shannon Pilcher and Ian Bobo provided an official statement for the team:

"After a successful culmination of a two year project that was initiated by a very ambitious and talented skydiver in Natasha Montgomery, Deland Fire and it's members will disband now after the completion of its goal of the World Championship in Germany.

The verbal contract between the group reached its logical conclusion, and future arrangements were not agreeable by all parties involved. To be straightforward, the Fire train ran its course to completion and overcame many hurdles along the way that make its conclusion even more remarkable.

It was an incredible learning experience for all of the members involved, and a truly unique team in many ways. Pride in the victories, history for the crowning of the first female 4way FS World Champion, and life lessons from the road traveled has made it a lifelong experience for one and all."

It was no secret that DeLand Fire had plans only until the World Meet 2006. In fact, the original plans of 2005 were made for only one year. The surprising victory at the USPA Nationals 2005 (check stories at: Archives > 2005 > Schedule > USPA Nationals 2005) motivated the team to add another year and represent the USA at the World Meet 2006.

The next surprise came with the gold medals after five rounds in Germany. However, the greatest athletic success for three of the DeLand Fire members was not enough motivation this time. The team members decided to go different ways from here on.

The official statement did not indicate any future plans, it only commented on the two successful DeLand Fire years. All team members confirmed that there are no serious plans at the moment. However, this does not mean that the 2006 season is over for the five 4-way world champions.

The NSL News office received a message a few weeks ago that Shannon Pilcher, Ian Bobo and Gary Smith were training at Skydive DeLand, and the 4th member was Solly Williams. This line-up had already been an option when DeLand Majik was formed five years ago, but it never materialized.

Shannon Pilcher and Ian Bobo have been best friends for a very long time and formed their first team, Genesis, as Georgia Tech students. Gary Smith and Solly Williams go back together even longer and further since they both grew up in South Africa and competed with South African teams, including the bronze medalist at the World Meet in Turkey 1997, DeLand Equanimity.

It was no surprise that these two "twin-brother pieces" finally saw an opportunity to make a few jumps together and then compete at the USPA Nationals 2006, as it was confirmed by the team members. It will not be under the team name DeLand Fire, even though three members continue together. DeLand Fire has become history.

Both "twin-brother pieces" will also form the technical pieces. Shannon Pilcher and Ian Bobo continue as the rear piece, while Solly Williams takes Natasha Montgomery's point position and becomes Gary Smith's piece partner. Gary Smith and Solly Williams have usually communicated with each other as center workers. This time, they will connect within the front piece.

Solly Williams has not competed in the point position to date. However, the professional coach knows every little detail about the slot, and he has also some practical experiences.

The last DeLand Majik line-up (Solly Williams, Doug Park, David van Greuningen, Robert Healy), which continued after the golden 2004 world championship season, had Solly Williams (Center Outside) and David van Greuningen (Point) work together in the front piece. The cross training for the B-slots provided Solly Williams with experience in the point position.

Despite the fact that three of the team members will compete in their world champion slots, this line-up does not expect to be in contention for any medals at the USPA Nationals 2006. There are no plans for any serious training before the competition in Eloy, and the other contenders are much better trained.

Each of the four team members emphasized that they simply look forward to jumping together for the pure fun of it. However, it is difficult to imagine a line-up with much better talent and experience than this one. It will be exciting to watch this line-up challenging the serious contenders of Team Fastrax, Airspeed Odyssey and Velocity.

The two other former DeLand Fire world champions, Natasha Montgomery and alternate Thomas Hughes, will be active at the USPA Nationals 2006, as well. The NSL News will follow up with this information in a separate story.