posted Apr 22nd, 2010 - Denmark's national 4-way team Voluntas was one of the eight teams that traveled from Florida to Bedford after the FSL Shamrock Showdown 2010 and attended the second meet of the 2010 season at the World Challenge.

Voluntas was then one of the 19 teams that made it a step further and reached the semifinals in Bedford, which was obviously not that easy. The team's 21.3 indoor average this year was significantly better than last year (18.8) and Voluntas placed higher, as well (21st in 2009, 17th this year). The Danish team teams was still not even close to a slot in the Finals, which required at least a 25.2 average (Kaktus Hunter).

However, this year's Voluntas story began at the Shamrock Showdown where Denmark's national 4-way team did not have to worry about making it to the semifinals and finals. The 2010 season began for Voluntas with a 15.4 average in DeLand.

Voluntas from Denmark at the Shamrock Showdown 2010

The Danish team is a slow starter and seems to peak at the right time. Voluntas had posted a 14.8 average at the Shamrock Showdown 2009, followed up with a 15.6 average at the DFU Open in May and had a meet average of 16.8 at the national championships in July. Then the team confirmed the 16+ level at the USPA Nationals 2009.

The 15.4 average at the Shamrock Showdown 2010 in March does not beat last year's results at the end of the season. It is still almost an average point higher compared to last year's results at the Shamrock.

The team from Denmark is eager to play a role in the race for the unofficial title of the best amateur team at the World Championship of Formation Skydiving 2010, which is always a challenging goal for the teams that are not on a full time agenda.

Voluntas from Denmark at the World Challenge 2010

This year's race for the unofficial amateur championship will be another tough one. The Italian Spin Team was the unofficial winner at the World Meet 2008 in France. The Spin Team discontinued, and the Sinapsi pros will now compete for Italy. Dynamic Fource from the Netherlands was the second best amateur team in 2008 and has now turned into this year's top contender.

Voluntas saw already at the World Challenge 2010 that Dynamic Fource will be the amateur team to beat this year. However, the Dutch average 23.6 average is not hopelessly out of reach for the team from Denmark.

Voluntas battled directly with the Swiss team Bodyflying at the World Challenge and lost by two points after ten rounds. The Swiss teams are usually a part of the unofficial amateur championship, as well. Denmark's national teams are also traditionally engaged in another battle within any major event, the unofficial Scandinavian championship. The NSL News will get to this topic later on.

Dynamic Fource from the Netherlands at the World Challenge 2010