posted Aug 11th, 2008 - It is probably a good morning for the 4-way fans who have already discovered a few links on the scores for Round 1. More uploading was possible last night and the videos of the French i-Score DZ-TV and judging system provide at least a look at several top teams, including the top three: Airspeed Odyssey, Sky Panthers and France Maubeuge.

However, there are also sad news. The Fun Flag is not flying any longer on top of the bunjee crane. Somebody risked his or her life to get possession of the flag last night. It was wet and slippery, and it is surprising that it was possible at all to get up under these conditions. Of course, there could also be bribing involved with the driver of the crane truck. The NSL News will try to get more information.

Whatever happened - the Fun Flag has to fly again, as the old rules require. It has to be visible during the course of the competition to remind the Formation Skydiving community of the main purpose. Hopefully, the new owner will respect the rules and find a good public spot for the flag.

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Other sad news are related to the Excalibur 8-way sword, which has had its place in the press room so far.

It has also disappeared and was not at the same spot this morning. The NSL News audience has already seen the sword a few times during the NSL-TV interviews.

The 8-way sword still belongs to the French 8-way team, and it is possible that the team wants to keep it at their headquarters throughout the competition. Round 1 in 8-way is scheduled for today at noon. The NSL News will also follow up on this topic.

Two new videos are now available. A lively interview with Joey Jones took place on Sunday in the press room. The former FX and DeLand Majik member, who won gold medals with DeLand Majik at the World Meet 2004 in Croatia, updated the NSL News on his ongoing 4-way coaching career.

He had taken a break for a while and focused more on coaching in the military field. Now he came back strongly with quite a few teams in Maubeuge. His main job is with Hayabusa Defence, one of the top contenders. The NSL News was interested in his view of the Hayabusa coaching situation.

Hayabusa had started the team's 4-way career with Joey Jones and mainly Doug Park. They connected well already by then since Hayabusa's style was similar to the FX ideas of 4-way competition.

The Belgium team still decided earlier this year that it was time to get different feedback from other sources and arranged a training camp with Airspeed's Craig Girard. This camp brought a lot of new and different feedback and information for Hayabusa, as the NSL News had already reported.

Hayabusa continued for a few more days with Joey Jones at the same April camp and then decided to work with him for the remainder of the 2008 season. Joey Jones provided more details in the interview, which can be viewed by clicking here.

The lively interview eventually almost fell apart when the backdrop decoration crashed. Nobody was injured, and business in the press rooom went back to normal operation shortly after the incident.

Nathan Polis' clip of the openng ceremony was successfully uploaded, as well. It is a great piece to watch since it provides an idea of the incredible efforts that the French event management made to get the general public involved. These efforts at any major events in France have always been the foundation for the great support that the sport receives by the government and for the interest by the general public.

Thousands of spectators were in the streets of downtown Maubeuge when the delegations presented themslves, and it was a long parade. Skydiving videos were shown on a large screen, and Maubeuge's VIPs gathered on a stage for the grande finale at a downtown plaza. This video can be viewed by clicking here.

The judges have started to work on the remaining videos of Round 2, and the first scores will be posted very soon.

18th FAI World Formation Skydiving Championships 2008
Who will win medals in 8-way?	France - Maubeuge USA - KnightTrax Italy - Ex3mo Germany - EADS United Kingdom - Connextion
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