Arizona Airspeed is back from international challenges at the Wind Games 2018 to defending the U.S. top position against SDC Rhythm XP.

There might not be the same performance pressure at Paraclete compared to the one that the toughest opponents in the world and this year's FAI medal contenders put on in Spain.

However, SDC Rhythm XP alone will do everything possible to make it as difficult as possible for the U.S. national 4-way champion.

In fact, Rhythm is the defending champion at Paraclete. Last year's competition in Raeford was the first time that Airspeed's new lineup competed after the personnel change and slot scramble, and the current Rhythm lineup beat Airspeed for the first time.

This year, there is no doubt that Rhythm will try to copy the same start into the new season and then keep the U.S. top spot for the rest of the year. Airspeed will compete for the U.S. delegation at the FAI World Meet 2018 in Australia in any case after winning the USPA Nationals 2017, while Rhythm has the 4-way title of 2018 at the national championships as the main goal.

Last year's USPA Advanced Class champion, Ranch 2nd Generation, competed at the Paraclete XP Indoor Championship 2017, as well, and finished right behind Airspeed in 4th place. The XP4 2017 lineup (John D'Annunzio, Thomas Hughes, Brian Krause, Kirk Verner) had placed ahead of Airspeed in 2nd place.

R2G has increased the indoor performance and scoring level significantly in the meantime and will wipe out last year's 20.6 average.

R2G's main opponent on USPA's Advanced Class leaderboard, Fast4ward XP, did not compete at Paraclete last year. Fast4ward was not eligible for USPA medals in Perris and has no plans for the 2018 season.

Fast4ward XP is still competing at this weekend's competition and will have a new showdown with R2G at the team's last meet together.

Ranch 2nd Generation has a new team member, as the NSL News reported on 1 December 2017. Former SDMW NEXT tail Chris Haslam has joined the team, and the new R2G lineup posted the first scores at the SV Hew Hampshire Indoor 2018.

Both teams completed their last training sessions on Friday evening at Paraclete, and they ended up together in the flying chamber for a preview of the upcoming competition...