posted Jul 2nd, 2025 - The most recent NSL Live Talk conversation with Gary Smith was mostly related to the upcoming 4-way competition at the FAI Outdoor World Cup 2025 in Teuge, Netherlands. The coach of the Qatar 4-way delegation, together with Luc Verstrepen, had some thoughts of the 8-way competition, as well, which will be well attended.

He agreed with the NSL News that a battle for the FAI gold medals could be possible this time, as it was indicated in the first NSL Power Rankings for the 8-way competition. The recent changes in Paraclete's XP8 lineup and the continuity and consistency of the Qatar Falcons might have brought the two 8-way teams very close to each other, as the scores at this year's indoor competitions indicated.

In fact, the Qatar Falcons are also well trained outdoor competitors after several years with French coach Jeremie Rollett, himself an 8-way world champion of 2006, 2008 and 2010. The Qatar Falcons could probably challenge the new XP8 lineup at Skydive Teuge seriously for the 1st place, as Gary Smith confirmed. However, this highly anticipated 8-way duel is not going to happen, after XP8 decided to skip the trip to the Netherlands in August. Prison 9 is now in the position to defend the U.S. top spot in the 8-way world, which is probably a Mission Impossible for team captain Doug Barron. The Qatar Falcons will most likely win the first FAI gold medals for their country in the history of the sport.

Paraclete XP Indoor Championship 2025			1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8		9		10		Total	Avg
Rank	8-way Open		J,16,N,G		5,O,M,B		12,1,18		17,K,20		14,Q,3		L,19,11		15,10,A		6,E,P,D		C,9,7		F,22,13		Total	Avg
1	XP8	US	38		29		28	-1	28		29	-1	22		27		27	-2	24		25		277	27.7
FAI Indoor World Championship 2025			1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8		9		10		Total	Avg
Rank	8-way Open		D,4,17		C,22,10		5,P,Q,18		1,M,J,O		16,6,19		H,8,21		12,13,A		L,G,K,9		15,F,7		E,2,N,B		Total	Avg
3	Qatar Falcons	QA	37		22	-4	26	-2	30	-5	25	-2	20	-2	22	-3	26	-2	24	-3	25	-3	257	25.7

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Reigning 8-way world champions Kirk Verner, Jeana Billings and Andrew Happick have to use the remaining three months until the USPA Nationals to prepare the new lineup for the world meet qualification in October. The winner of the USPA Nationals then has another year to get ready and face the Qatar Falcons at the same location in Eloy and the next world championship event.

The 8-way Power Rankings for the world cup in Teuge have been adjusted, and the two teams in expected contention for the 3rd place, Germany's Airbus 8-way team and Prison 9, could now win FAI silver medals at the same event. The other two U.S. teams, Bra Nok and Mandatory Fun, seem to have a chance for bronze medals, or they could even join Prison 9 and try to push the German team from the 8-way podium.

Prison 9 may not have known that they would be the strongest 8-way team in the U.S. delegation for the outdoor world cup and probably compete for FAI silver medals. Most of the team members compete in 4-way at the same time and the same event, including the complete SDC Rhythm XP lineup. and team videographer Charlie McGee. XPG4 world champions Michelle Karamon and Brenn Richards compete with Prison 9 and join 4-way forces with Eliana Rodriguez and Craig Girard for the 4-way Open Class competition. Craig Girard will be a Prison 9 opponent with his Mandatory Fun lineup.

FAI Outdoor World Cup 2025			1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	Total	Avg
Rank	8-way Open Power Rankings		TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD	Total	Avg
1	Qatar Falcons	QA	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
2	Airbus	DE	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
2	Prison 9	US	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
4	Bra Nok	US	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
4	Mandatory Fun!	US	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
6	Cark8	UK	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
7	Netherlands	NL	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
7	Great Britain	UK	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-