Did you know that Gary Smith provided updates from the Wind Games? posted: Jan 28th, 2026 Gary Smith explained during an NSL Live Talk conversation on 10 December 2025 that his work with Qatar’s formation skydiving delegation had come to an end. Having returned to the Netherlands, he is now ready to resume his highly successful collaboration with NMP PCH HayaBusa.
The first test of the next phase in his ongoing cooperation with the Belgian team will be the upcoming Wind Games 2026. There, the current HayaBusa lineup will face an exceptionally strong field of world-class 4-way indoor teams—possibly stronger than ever before at a single competition. The pressure on both team and... (more)
Did you know that Natalie Rodriguez and Russ Bayuk launch Indoor Cloud League 2026 in the Midwest? posted: Jan 28th, 2026 The ICL Midwest team of the Indoor Cloud League established a strong presence on the monthly leaderboards after joining in August 2020. Members of Skydive Midwest NEXT originally launched the ICL group and sustained participation throughout the corona virus crisis until the end of 2022. During 2023, ICL Midwest posted scores and videos sporadically until CSC Constellation XP founders Natalie Rodriguez and Russ Bayuk resumed regular ICL 4-way events, continuing through March 2025. During this period, their own 4-way team transitioned from a 1st-place finish in the AA/Intermediate Class at the USPA... (more)
Did you know that Jeana Billings, Kirk Verner, Matt Davidson have a new 8-way starting point? posted: Jan 26th, 2026 Since 1985, the William H. Ottley Sword—awarded to the 8-way world champions and also known as the 8-way Excalibur—has carried only the names of team members from the United States, France, and Russia. Over the same period, the 4-way Excalibur has been shared exclusively by teams from France, Belgium, and the United States.
In 8-way competition, only one ten-year span—or six outdoor world championships between 2001 and 2010—saw the same three nations share titles. U.S. teams dominated early, winning eight consecutive world championship titles from 1985 to 1999, followed by another streak... (more)
Did you know that Arizona Airspeed explained the new slots for all on NSL Live Talk? posted: Jan 25th, 2026 Arizona Airspeed appeared on NSL Live Talk with their complete new lineup. The only team member not in Spain was team videographer Alex Swindle, as Airspeed is attending the Wind Games 2026—an indoor competition where neither his skills nor those of any other team videographer are required.
The previous NSL Live Talk featuring the full 2025 lineup was recorded after the conclusion of the FAI Indoor World Championship 2025, where Niklas Hemlin was still competing with the team. Although Alisson de Vargas had already joined Arizona Airspeed at that time, he was not eligible to compete at the... (more)
Did you know that NSL Live Talk with Dennis Praet shakes up the NSL Power Rankings? posted: Jan 23rd, 2026 The NSL Power Rankings provide previews of upcoming major competitions in 4-way and 8-way indoor and outdoor formation skydiving. The latest leaderboard focuses on the Wind Games 2026 in Spain, where the world’s top 4-way teams are registered for the first major showdown of the new year.
The initial NSL Power Rankings for this event were published with the update on January 19th. As usual, the NSL News aims to follow up with expert evaluations of the projected rankings before the competition begins. This time, NMP PCH HayaBusa team captain Dennis Praet took a closer look at the NSL Power Rankings... (more)
Did you know that Doug Barron has 8-way priority this year? posted: Jan 21st, 2026 Recent NSL News updates on the Paraclete XP8 lineup changes included the return of Matt Davidson to 8-way training and competition, together with his wife, Jennifer Davidson. Alongside the other couple on the 8-way team—Jeana Billings and Kirk Verner—this 4-way group forms a strong and stable foundation for XP8 this year.
This is not the first time that life partners or married couples have worked together successfully in a highly intense competitive environment. Eliana Rodriguez and Craig Girard won 8-way gold with Airspeed in Rijeka 2004, followed by 4-way gold in Maubeuge 2008. Similarly,... (more)