posted Dec 21st, 2012 - It is difficult to say what was really the Grande Finale at the Mondial Dubai 2012. It's a tough call between Round 10 in the 4way Open Class competition and the closing party with Usher and Katy Perry.

Of course, those are two completely different things, and the final showdown between Arizona Airspeed and NMP-PCH Hayabusa was without doubt the most exciting part of at least the Formation Skydiving competition.

The closing party was still an incredible event that almost matched the drama that the 4way Open Class competition had brought to the audience. It may sound greedy or out of proportion, but Arizona Airspeed and NMP-PCH Hayabusa and the whole event deserved nothing less than such a high-profile party with Usher and Katy Perry. It was only amazing that the Crown Prince of Dubai could make it happen and provided the adequate Grande Finale for the most exciting 4way exhibition in the history of the sport.

Mondial Dubai 2012		Rd. 1	Rd. 2	Rd. 3	Rd. 4	Rd. 5	Rd. 6	Rd. 7	Rd. 8	Rd. 9	Rd. 10	Total	Avg
Rank	4way Open	5,12,E	6,D,B,K	O, 8,7	N,13,18	10,21,M	19,H,11	C,G,1,A	20,9,15	16,F,P,Q	2,J,4	Total	Avg
1	Arizona Airspeed (US)	27	34	27(-1)	22	23	23(-2)	32	25	40	26	279(282)	27.9
2	NMP-PCH Hayabusa (BE)	25(-1)	34(-2)	27(-1)	21(-1)	23	24(-1)	32(-1)	27	40	25(-1)	278(286)	27.8

Both pop stars related directly to the athletes of the Mondial Dubai 2012 in their announcements, and Katy Perry even entered the stage with a parachute. It was not really a BASE or a demo jump, however, she made her effort to show the audience that she was performing for the skydivers.

The dramatic finish in the 4way Open Class competition was already commented from all kind of different angles, and it will have its special place in the history books of Formation Skydiving competition. It was almost unthinkable that two teams could be so close after ten rounds on the highest scoring level of 4way competition in history.

The 27.9 average will not be the end. It seems as if the 30-average level is not out of reach, and at least NMP-PCH Hayabusa is in the process of making plans for the next two years with the same lineup. The Arizona Airspeed plans are in the works.

NMP-PCH Hayabusa was as close to the top of the world as never before. The Belgian team had already taken the top spot of the indoor competition after winning the World Challenge 2012. The scoring chart of the progression between the best US teams and the different Hayabusa lineups shows that it might be only a matter of time when Belgium will have the best 4way outdoor team in the world, as well.

The scoreboard between the two teams and the winning rounds also show how close Hayabusa was to winning in Dubai. Airspeed had the stronger start into the meet and did not give away a single point in the first five rounds. However, the young Belgian team has matured and collected a lot of confidence and competition experience in the past years. The early Airspeed authority did not discourage Hayabusa, and the Belgians began to take control beginning in Round 6.

Hayabusa had all the momentum on the Belgian side after repeating between Round 5 and Round 9 what Airspeed had done in the first five rounds. Then came Round 10 with all the drama at the very last second of working time. It is eye candy to watch the incredible finish over and over again. And it took pop stars like Usher and Katy Perry and unique fireworks to match up with the incredible performance of the two best 4way teams in the world. Thanks to the Crown Prince for honoring the sport on such a level.