posted Dec 28th, 2019 - The U.S. Formation Skydiving delegation for the FAI World Meet 2020 has been through several adjustments after the qualification event, the USPA Nationals 2019. It began with a fact that was not really an adjustment, as SDC Rhythm XP simply took away the 4-way Open Class slot from Arizona Airspeed.

The changes were more related to the 8-way lineup of Airspeed XP8, even though the SDC Rhythm XP members played a major role in the adjustments. JaNette Lefkowitz had given up her 8-way slot after winning the gold medals at the FAI Indoor World Meet in April this year. She wanted to focus only on 4-way training and competition.

Steve Lefkowitz and Andrew Happick followed her lead after Paraclete XP won the 8-way competition at the USPA Nationals and then lost to Russia and France at the FAI Outdoor World Cup.

Niklas Hemlin, Mikhail Markine and Matt Davidson replaced Steve Lefkowitz, Andrew Happick and Christopher Kuhlmann to train and compete in 8-way for Airspeed XP8.

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USPA Nationals 2019			1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8		9		10		Total	Avg
Rank	8-way Open		13,16,20		C,B,M,D,1		N,Q,17,D		5,L,E,21		P,15,12		14,4,22		10,O,9		F,19,8		11,7,18		2,6,A		Total	Avg
1	XP8	US	19	-1	24		22		19		24		20		17		16	-1	17	-1	19		197	19.7
2	Golden Knights	US	18	-1	23		17	-5	18	-1	24		19	-1	16		17		18	-1	19		189	18.9

Video Footage Courtesy of USPA/OmniSkore!HD

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The latest change in the U.S. delegation for Tanay 2020 came with an announcement of SDC Rhythm XP that was posted on Thursday, December 26th:

"JaNette has decided to take a hiatus from competing this season. In the meantime, we have a substitute - Drew Starr from the US Army Golden Knights 8way team - who will fill in for the World Championships, doing double duty as he continues to train with the Knights. JaNette founded Rhythm, she is the reason Rhythm has grown stronger and stronger for over 10 years now, and without her we would not be the US National Champions. We are so grateful for all she has done and look forward to having her back competing when she’s ready. While she’s taking a break from competing, she’ll continue to be involved as a coach at our jumping events and tunnel workshops, and all the other ways Rhythm contributes to the skydiving community. Thank you so much JaNette!"

Andrew Starr is the current team captain of the Golden Knights 8-way team, who finished in 2nd place behind Paraclete XP8 at this year's national championship and will miss the next world meet for the first time since 2010. Andrew Starr was on camera for the Golden Knights when the U.S. Formation Skydiving delegation visited Russia for the FAI World Meet 2010 in Menzelinsk. He will now go back to Russia exactly a decade later and compete in 4-way Open. The U.S. Army gave him permission to continue as the team captain of the Golden Knights while helping out for SDC Rhythm XP next year.

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USPA Nationals 2019			1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8		9		10		11		Total	Avg
Rank	4-way Open		7,C,H,P		J,21,20		O,3,11		B,2,K,E		8,Q,10		15,D,F,12		N,L,M,14		6,1,9		A,18,13		G,4,5		17,16,22		Total	Avg
1	SDC Rhythm XP	US	41		22		21	-1	33		21		23		27		25		24		25		21	-1	262	26.2
2	Arizona Airspeed	US	40	-1	24		22	-2	32		19	-2	24		29		25		21	-2	26	-1	20	-2	262	26.2

Video Footage Courtesy of USPA/OmniSkore!HD

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JaNette Lefkowitz followed up with a personal statement shortly after the public announcement by her team and explained why she is stepping back at this point in time:

"Unfortunately, I must step back from Rhythm training and the World Meet this year. I tend not to make very personal posts, and especially not 'unhappy' ones, but I want to be honest about a tough part of my life right now. Over the last year and a half, Steve and I have been struggling with recurrent pregnancy loss and multiple failed IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) cycles. Balancing this with training and competition has been tough, but manageable, and my team has been so supportive and wonderful during this time. Winning nationals was an incredibly sweet surprise. The thought of not training and competing with my team is very sad for me, and honestly not something I ever imagined giving up.

"However, at this point, training for a world meet and infertility treatments both require immediate & aggressive action, and while I’d love to continue to pursue both, it is no longer realistic or what's best for Rhythm or our hopes to someday have our own family. It is one of the hardest decisions I've ever made, but I know it's the right decision. I know that my team is in good hands with Drew and I'm excited to support them through their season and can't wait to join them again as soon as I can. In the meantime, I plan to stay as active as possible in Rhythm events and coaching.

"Pregnancy loss and infertility are tough to talk about and often kept private, but I've learned they're a lot more common and way tougher than I ever imagined. I am sharing my own story in hopes that others might feel less alone. If you're also going through this or know someone who is and need someone to listen, I'm here."