posted Nov 28th, 2009 - The SkyQuest 2009 coverage continues with the AA Class competition of the NSL Championship 2009. The Rookie Class competition between Team DiZaster and Relativity was already exciting enough. However, Perris Jimani and Teiwaz Eagle gave each other an even more exciting race. The two AA Class teams were separated by only two points after ten rounds.

It was coincidence that Teiwaz had once again two lineups at this year's SkyQuest event, and that the lineups of the two teams made one fit for the AAA Class competition and the other one for the AA Class category. It turned out that the Teiwaz Eagle lineup (Bob Schindler - Point, Kurt Gaebel - Center Outside, Ed Ganley - Center Inside, Mario Mauro - Tail, with Albert Bechtold on camera) was the perfect match for Perris Jimani.

Jimani (Janna Wynne - Point, Christy Frikken - Center Outside, Brian Sawatzky - Center Inside, Jim Earman - Tail, with Rob Harrick on camera) was already looking back at a busy 2009 season. The NSL Championship 2009 was the 6th competition for the Perris team this year.

However, Jimani was the defending AA Class champion after winning the NSL Championship in 2007 and 2008 and added the last 4-way outdoor competition of 2009 to the team agenda. It would also be an opportunity to improve the results of the Jimani appearance at the 2009 USPA National Skydiving Championships.

The Perris team was considered one of the top contenders for the medals in the AA/Intermediate Class competition in Texas but ended up "only" in 7th place with a 9.8 average. It was a tough competition at the USPA Nationals, and Jimani was only four points behind the bronze medal position.

The 9.8 average was still below Jimani standards, as the Perris team had already posted averages at and above the 10.0 level at the May, July and August meets of the Southern California Skydiving League.

It required additional efforts to get a Jimani lineup for SkyQuest 2009 and the NSL Championship. Anders Mattsson was not available for the additional meet, and Jimani needed a substitute. Janna Wynne was also a member of the 100-way Eagle Team. She would already make the trip to Florida anyway, but she would have a very busy agenda jumping in both events.

It turned out well for the Perris team, as Perris Fury member Christy Frikken was able to fill the open Center Outside slot, and Janna Wynne arranged her double duties successfully with Eagle Team captain BJ Worth and the NSL meet management.

Perris Jimani knew Christy Frikken well, as the team was originally a Perris Fury test project with two players and two Fury coaches. Judy White (Point) and Jim Earman (Tail) formed the team with Fury's Tail Uli Steuwe as the primary coach. Christy Frikken and Chris Farina alternated for the Center Outside slot in 2007.

An interview with Jimani members on Saturday at the end of the day showed how much fun the team had with this lineup in DeLand. The video clip of the interview, including Perris Fury member Christy Frikken, will be uploaded very soon.

The first five rounds of the 4-way competition at SkyQuest 2009 are now available on NSL-TV and feature Jimani and Teiwaz during their first half of the 10-round battle. Jimani had the much better start and created a 6-point lead after the first three rounds. However, Teiwaz warmed up and reduced the damage round by round until Round 4 brought the first win for the Florida team.

Jimani came back in Round 5 and added a point to the lead. The California team was now three points ahead at half-time, but Teiwaz had come up to speed. The beginning of the second half would change the AA Class picture even more dramatically. The live interview and the videos of the last five rounds will follow soon.