posted Apr 3rd, 2006 - The NSL News story on March 25 provided an update of the Norwegian 4-way team Arcteryx after the world class performance at the FSL Shamrock Showdown 2006 on March 18 - 19 in DeLand.

The NSL News also invited the team members to the NSL office for a live interview, which took place on Thursday, March 30, a few days after the conclusion of the competition in DeLand. The interview offers information of the current national team's position in the Norwegian skydiving community, which consist of approx. 1,000 active skydivers.

The Arcteryx members also explain how Norway tries to attract new skydivers to 4-way competition year after year and supports the selected national team. The NSL News asked questions related to the previous Norwegian national team, the "DeLand Norgies", and the Arcteryx members did not have a problem explaining their relationship with the 4-way history in Norway.

The previous NSL News story mentioned that Arcteryx might be on the way to a medal position at this year's World Meet in Germany: "The only question left is: "Arcteryx on track to where?" Is it really possible that this team might continue to move up into the underdog position for medals at the World Meet in Germany this year?"

Arcteryx reminded the NSL News during the interview that it has always been a part of the Norwegian plan to go after the medals in Germany 2006. It was not really a big suprise or a new situation for the Arcteryx members that the position of a medal contender for the upcoming World Meet seems to have become quite realistic.

The NSL News on January 25, 2005 (see NSL Archives 2005 - NSL News), provided the evidence for this long term goal. The NSL News had discussed the Arcteryx plans with team captain Ole Petter Hjelle when he visited DeLand for a training camp with his old Punky Fish friends in January 2005.

NSL News: Hjelle explains that Arcteryx has also determined the team goals for the 2005 season and for next year. The team expects an average between 18 and 19 points at the end of this year. The main goal for 2006 is a medal at the World Meet in Germany. Hjelle has no doubt that the team's progression is right on track: "We started with a 10.2 average in January 2004 and finished the 2004 season with 15.8 in Croatia. The progression has continued throughout the first camp this year."

The goal has not changed. However, the Arcteryx members are also very realistic as of the team's position within the international field of top teams. They explain in the recent interview that they do not expect to have a chance for gold or silver medals, and even the bronze medals will be hard to reach, as Ole Petter Hjelle explains:

"I kind of think that it would be, realistically, a stretch to be on the podium. But obviously, that was our goal. I think it's very hard to match either Fire or Sinapsi, and a very good Russian team. But after those three teams I think anything can happen. On a very, very good day I think it is possible."

Norway ended up 2.6 average points behind Sinapsi PD and 1.9 average points behind DeLand Fire after the ten rounds of the Shamrock Showdown. The distance to these two teams seems to be too long, even if Arcteryx will be able to continue with its consistent and intense training routine and the according progression until August this year.

Arcteryx beat Sinapsi PD in round three, upset DeLand Fire in round two and tied the US team's score in round one. Ole Petter Hjelle and his team mates will be glad if they can repeat similar upsets at a few rounds at the World Meet. They still do not think that it could be enough to seriously challenge these top contenders.

A questionmark is always behind the Russian teams. The Black Cat recently had a serious injury problem of one team member. However, Russia always has more than one team at the very top of 4-way competition. Black Cat and Extreme.RU went neck to neck at the World Cup 2005 in Eloy, and Skylight Sparkli posted some top scores in a few rounds. The Russian Nationals 2006 shortly before the World Meet will be the qualifyer for Germany. Only then it will become more clear what Russia has to offer this year.

There is still another serious contender, at least for the bronze medals. The Belgian team Spa Hayabusa will not just watch the competition for any of the medal sets. The team wants be fully engaged in the battle for the top spots and has the potential to be there. Click here to view the video of the Arcteryx interview.