posted Jun 20th, 2026 - Seven teams arrived in Raeford on Saturday morning for the start of the Paraclete XP Summer Classic 2026, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated competitions of the season. In the days leading up to the event, the NSL News audience had the opportunity to hear directly from the team captains and videographers of the Golden Knights, NMP PCH HayaBusa, and Arizona Airspeed. Their interviews provided insight into each team's expectations and preparations, while building excitement for the competition. Anticipation among both the teams and the audience could hardly have been higher.

There is little doubt that the Aethers in France were also following the previews closely and forming their own impressions as they listened to the conversations from Laurinburg. The indirect connection among what are currently considered the three strongest 4-way teams in the world was equally evident in the opposite direction. Golden Knights captain Jesse Stahler explained that his team was very aware of the indirect presence of the Aethers. Even though the French team was thousands of miles away, they remained a constant point of reference—much like a ghost opponent whose presence could still be felt throughout the competition. While NMP PCH HayaBusa was physically present in Raeford, the French team's performances and ambitions remained part of the broader competitive picture.

Another indirect participant was HayaBusa coach Gary Smith, who maintained regular communication with the Belgian team throughout the competition. Gary Smith was in Illertissen at the time, working with the German national 4-way team Airbus. He reported that Airbus planned to duplicate the three competition rounds scheduled for Sunday as part of its own training program, creating yet another connection between elite teams preparing for the upcoming World Championship.

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NSL TV Unfiltered: Saturday morning at the XP Summer Classic 2026

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The anticipated mid-season showdown at Skydive Paraclete finally became reality when the three featured teams arrived at the competition site on Saturday morning. The event offered two compelling matchups at the same time: the domestic rivalry between the Golden Knights and Arizona Airspeed, and the international contest between the Golden Knights and NMP PCH HayaBusa, both of whom are expected to be among the leading medal contenders at the FAI Outdoor World Championship 2026. The original schedule called for the first competition rounds to begin on Friday. However, unfavorable weather forecasts made it unlikely that any rounds could be completed that day. After discussions among the teams and organizers, the decision was made to postpone the start of the 10-round meet until Saturday morning.

In addition to the three world-class teams, four more teams joined the competition, bringing the total number of participants to seven and adding further depth to the field. The competitors also agreed to approach the event with the same level of professionalism and discipline they would apply at a World Championship or World Cup, where the ten competition rounds are typically spread over multiple days. While elite teams often complete more than ten training jumps in a single day, such a schedule is neither realistic nor desirable in top-level competition.

Instead, the teams agreed on a format of seven rounds on Saturday and the remaining three rounds on Sunday morning. The first part of the plan was executed without difficulty. Ideal weather conditions and the availability of a dedicated Twin Otter throughout the day allowed the meet to progress smoothly, and all seven scheduled rounds were completed. Round 8 is now set to begin on Sunday morning, with the competition entering its decisive phase.

Paraclete XP Summer Classic 2026			1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8		9		10		Total	Avg
Rank	AAA/Open/Advanced Class		L,O,15,10		8,G,17		13,1,21		K,2,E,B		14,18,A		20,Q,J,F		4,H,6		9,N,12		3,16,11		M,D,5,P		Total	Avg
1	Golden Knights	US	23		25		23		31	-1	21		31		24		-		-		-		178	25.4
2	NMP PCH HayaBusa	BE	24		23		22	-1	27	-3	20	-1	33		22		-		-		-		171	24.4
3	Arizona Airspeed	US	23		21		20		29		18		32		24		-		-		-		167	23.9
4	Redline XP	US	10	-1	16		12	-2	16		13		16	-2	-		-		-		-		83	13.8
5	Couples Therapy	US	11	-2	11	-1	11	-1	16	-1	12	-2	19		-		-		-		-		80	13.3
6	Platinum XP	US	10		11		11		15		10		16		-		-		-		-		73	12.2
Rank	AA/Intermediate Class		9,21		13,P,D		20,K,11		M,1,C		N,22,18		15,8		6,4		L,B,19		2,O,J		G,H,7		Total	Avg
1	Larry's Illegitimate Children	US	6		4	-1	5	-1	10		3	-1	4		-		-		-		-		32	5.3

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NMP PCH HayaBusa - Golden Knights - Arizona Airspeed in Round 1

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