posted Jan 27th, 2016 - The Sun Path Products NSL News has recently used internet services to record live NSL Talk conversations with participants from all over the planet. The latest NSL Talk took place this morning, live at the same time and also at the same place - the NSL office in DeLand.

Solly Williams, DeLand Majik 4-way world champion of 2004 and professional coach, still resides in the same town that he moved to after winning the bronze medals for South Africa's national 4-way team Equanimity in 1997. He visited the NSL office on Wednesday morning for a new conversation in the Coaches Corner.

Solly Williams was hired by the U.S. Army in 2014 to work as the coach for the Golden Knights and bring the national team in 4-way Women to the top spot in the world.

The Golden Knights have not won the gold medals yet, after silver in 2012 and 2014. However, Solly Williams and his team know that they have practically taken the top spot and are unofficially seeded in the pole position of the current world rankings and in the race for the gold medals at the Mondial 2016.

Solly Williams provided an update after the Golden Knights' unfortunate trip to Europe for the Wind Games 2016. He mentioned that Dannielle Woosley, the team's tail, is dealing with a similar injury that he experienced in the middle of the Majik 4-way career.

Solly Williams was in the same tail slot and eventually needed surgery to fix a bulging spinal disk in his neck/shoulder area. This could turn out as a good sign for the Golden Knights, as DeLand Majik won the gold medals before Solly Williams had his successful surgery.

Rank	Team World Rankings 4-way Women	Averages	Best 3
1	Golden Knights	23.3 - 22.4 - 22.7	22.8
2	French Girls	19.9 - 20.3 - 21.3 - 22.4	21.3
3	NFTO	16.4 - 16.5	16.5
4	Parachute Montreal Fuzion	15.7 - 17.1	16.4
5	Kewara	14.8	14.8
6	Infra Red Band	13.3 - 13.5 - 15.1	14.0
7	Dubai Asaar Ladies	15.3 - 11.4	13.4
8	Bellatrix	12.9 - 13.1	13.0
9	Les Stunts	12.5	12.5
10	Camdak.is	12.1	12.1

The Golden Knights coach said that the 2016 season could be the last one for the current lineup. It is easy to see that gold medals at the Mondial 2016 would make for a great ending. The U.S. Army team also wants to use the World Challenge to peak with indoor performance. Goal is to get closer than ever to the very top level in 4-way competition, including the 4-way Open Class teams.

In the meantime, the outdoor training continues this month in Florida, and the Shamrock Showdown 2016 will be the first serious test this year.

The Golden Knights plan to have 80 - 100 jumps completed before the annual outdoor competition in DeLand.

The Golden Knights might also be closer than ever to the U.S. top level in 4-way Open Class competition after a year of full training. The USPA Nationals will finish off the 2016 season for this lineup. Personnel changes for Arizona Airspeed and SDC Rhythm XP both could offer another opportunity in Eloy. It was the Golden Knights Gold lineup of 2011 (Sean Sweeney, Brian Krause, Kurt Isenbarger, Matt Davidson, with Drew Starr on camera) who won the last USPA 4-way silver medals for the U.S. Army team. However, the 1st place in 4-way Women at the Mondial 2016 is the most important goal.

Paraclete Indoor 2013		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Total	Avg
Rank	AAA Class	18,O,2	19,9,13	A,8,D,J	10,F,Q,22	M,C,4,B	3,L,20	17,12,5	11,1,E	N,16,14	21,K,H,6	Total	Avg
1	Arizona Airspeed	23	26	31	25	33	23	25	23	23	29	261	26.1
2	Just In Time	22	23	31	23	31	21	23	23	21	27	245	24.5
3	SDC Rhythm XP	24	23	27	23	33	21	21	22	21	25	240	24.0
4	USA CAN	22	21	29	20	32	24	23	21	18	24	234	23.4
5	Carolina Turbo XP	18	21	26	18	25	18	19	19	15	22	201	20.1
6	Old Gregg	14	15	19	16	22	10	14	15	14	16	155	15.5
7	Dallas En Fuego	14	15	13	17	18	13	14	11	14	15	144	14.4
8	Fugitives	16	16	16	13	19	12	12	10	13	14	141	14.1

A conversation with a 4-way expert cannot take place at the beginning of this year without discussing the current situation of Arizona Airspeed. Solly Williams thinks that the current change in the lineup might invigorate the team and create new energy, while it is still a "tough mountain to climb".

He said that the team needs as much competition as possible with the new lineup, and the annual "Spring Tour" (Raeford - DeLand - Bedford) offers the perfect opportunity to collect a lot of competition experience within a short time period.

Solly Williams speaks highly of Mikhail Markine and his talent, and he thinks that he might be able to master the change from tail to point quickly enough. He was actually flying with him in SDC Rhythm XP's rear piece at the Paraclete XP Indoor Championship 2013 when new member Christy Frikken was not available. Chris Farina and Thiago Gomes had just moved to Arizona, and Mikhail Markine's former Vibe team mate Don Burnette outscored him with Josh Hall, Thiago Gomes and Uli Stuwe in the Just In Time lineup. Niklas Hemlin competed one more time for Airspeed at Paraclete before his 2-year break...