posted Jan 3rd, 2026 - Arizona Airspeed has been a significant part of NSL News coverage since the team franchise was founded at Skydive Arizona in 1994, when NSL News began providing information and journalistic reporting on formation skydiving competition. The original team members—Jack Jefferies, Dan BC, Kirk Verner, Mark Kirkby, and John Lemming on camera—shared a single goal: to become 4-way world champions. That ambition has remained unchanged for more than 30 years.

A natural symbiosis has always existed between Arizona Airspeed and NSL News. Through its evolving lineups, the team consistently provided compelling topics for journalistic coverage, engaging both the audience and fellow competitors. Changes within the Airspeed lineup have often marked the beginning of a new athletic era, typically lasting several years.

Transitions from one lineup to the next usually occur after an outdoor world championship and are an inherent part of 4-way competition, as in many other sports. Such changes attract even greater attention when a world-class lineup comes to an end and a top team enters a new cycle toward the next championship. While lineup continuity is a valuable component for performance progression and competitive success, it is not always part of the plan. Continuity is never guaranteed—particularly in an amateur sport with only a small number of professional teams.

"Over the past 6 years, Christopher Kuhlmann has dedicated his life to Arizona Airspeed and now has chosen to embark on a new chapter of his life. He joined the team in December of 2019 and was immediately put under pressure to learn the inside center slot for the first time. After meeting that challenge, the team won 2 back-to-back world championships together. Last year, he worked tirelessly with his closest friend, brother, and career-long teammate Joey Marshall to help mentor a new generation of Airspeed into existence. Currently, the team has a long 3 year goal of winning the 2027 USPA Nationals and 2028 World Championships. Christopher is taking this moment to step down from the team, but not from skydiving, coaching, or competition. He’ll be leaving the team in very competent hands and of course will be there if the team needs. We’ll announce our new addition to Airspeed tomorrow, but for today, let’s celebrate his dedication and sacrifice to the team, the sport, and many of you individually as a mentor and coach."

The same Arizona Airspeed lineup—Niklas Hemlin, Mikhail Markine, Chris Kuhlmann, and Joey Marshall—claimed two consecutive world championship titles in 2022 and 2024, flying once with Brendan Haddon on camera and once with Alex Swindle. Given the five-year run of the reigning 4-way outdoor world champions, it was not a major surprise that a lineup change would follow.

NSL News published the Airspeed announcement of a new lineup after an NSL Live Talk with the 2022/2024 lineup on 12 October 2024. Having just secured their second FAI gold medal together, Niklas Hemlin, Mikhail Markine, Chris Kuhlmann, and Joey Marshall announced that only Chris Kuhlmann and Joey Marshall would continue with the team. One month later, they revealed Allison de Vargas and Doug Hendrix as their new teammates, while Alex Swindle would remain on camera for Airspeed.

Another Airspeed lineup announcement was posted this week and is expected to become one of the main NSL News topics in the coming weeks. After one year with the new lineup, Chris Kuhlmann has stepped back, and Michelle Karamon will take his place. The team has announced a three-year plan for this newly formed lineup.

"Arizona Airspeed is proud to announce our newest member: Michelle Karamon! Michelle comes to the team with a wealth of experience including multiple world championships and records. We are stoked to have her on the team! Michelle has been skydiving competitively for years on teams including R2G, XP8, XPG4, and most recently Tunnel Vision. She has been competing across the globe, outdoors and indoors, representing Team USA. Michelle has also been heavily involved in the Arizona skydiving community, organizing and mentoring jumpers in both local competitions with the Arizona Skydiving Tribe and women’s bigway records. Airspeed is incredibly excited to have Michelle join the team and continue its storied legacy. We have already begun training and will be competing at The Wind Games at the end of the month and Indoor Nationals in February as we begin our journey to win the 2028 World Meet. Thank you everyone for your support of the team! Without you, Airspeed would not be possible."

Arizona Airspeed lineups between 1994 and 2026

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