posted Apr 2nd, 2009 - The entry into the United Kingdom was much easier than it may have been expected. There still is quite some trouble in the financial district of London downtown where police and protesters clash with each other during the G20 meeting. However, there were no special security measures visible at the airport for visitors from abroad, and London downtown appeared to be as beautiful and peaceful as usual.

The entry into the flying chamber of Bodyflight Bedford is much more challenging at this year's World Challenge 2009 for 4-way teams, as the second door to got in and out of the chamber is not there any longer. It was closed last year to improve the general safety operation.

For the first time in the history of Bodyflight Bedford's World Challenge competition, the four team members have only one door available to get into the flying chamber, while the working time still begins when the first team member makes a move to enter the chamber.

The teams that were already training at the competition site on Thursday gave the new entry challenge great attention. It was actually quite amazing to see that the time to build the first formation was still not much longer at all, compared to the previous events where two doors were available.

The NSL News watched Airspeed Odyssey and XL when they were working on the new technique how to launch the first formation. The NSL-TV camera captured portions of this training, and the videos show how familiar and well skilled these two top teams already are with the new entry limitation.

First it seemed as if the more challenging entry into the chamber would most likely lower the average scores compared to the previous events. Now it doesn't seem to have a serious impact on the scores any longer, as not much extra time is needed to build the first formation.

The NSL-TV camera filmed the entry training from a position inside the tunnel chamber, and then captured videos, as well, that provide the perspective from the top of the chamber and the judging angle. A few extra minutes also show the teams in full action.

XL and Airspeed began with their tunnel training today, while Perris Fury arrived in Bedford altready last Thursday. The Fury members had a tunnel camp for teams and students on the agenda and trained a few hours with the team lineup, as well.

Norway's retired national 4-way team Arcteryx was already at Bodyflight to fly some time with the new Arcteryx Point for the meet, former French 4-way world champion Julien DeSantos. Ole Petr Hjelle was still missing, and Perris Fury's Chris Farina was filling the slot.

The Pro Team from Finland brought the team's alternate and the youngest team member for some tunnel training, as well. Another NSL-TV video clip shows Finland's new generation of 4-way competitors in tunnel action, while Bodyflight owner Paul Meyer enjoys watching the young customer in the flying chamber. This video can be viewed by clicking here.

The Swedish national team Evolution was also training on Thursday, along with Hayabusa Defence. Joey Jones is working with both teams, and the NSL News will follow up with more video clips, interviews and photos tomorrow. Friday is another training day in Bedford.