posted Sep 10th, 2003 - NSL NEWS: Solly, we are in the middle of the meet. Let’s go through all the events and begin with the 4-way Open event. How do you see the current situation? SOLLY WILLIAMS: I am not really surprised about anything I see. The positions are as expected. The top teams have only made two jumps; it is very early to say anything. I think we all knew coming here that the French 4-way team is probably currently the fastest team. The first two rounds have shown that they have the pace to prove that.

NSL NEWS: How are the "underdogs" doing? SOLLY WILLIAMS: If you want to put the three teams as the outsiders for the win, then in some respects I guess it is unfortunate that all three of them busted in round one.

NSL NEWS: France received a penalty, as well. What do you know about the judging issue? The German Event Judge Klaus Wellens mentioned yesterday that he informed teams and competitors in Russia this year how they are planning to judge at the World Meet. SOLLY WILLIAMS: I believe that there are two methods of how to execute Block 12 (Zipper – Star). One technique clearly tries to position the videographer on an angle that will reduce the chances of center points crossing. This has enabled top teams to execute this block in a region of two seconds and even less. In my opinion this has always been like rolling the dice. You might get it, and you might not. The other category clearly tries to work within the rules but recognizes that the block takes a little bit longer (+/- 2.4 seconds). The problem is that this block has evolved to the point where the judges have had to draw a line. And that line is a particular rule that has got a little bit gray over the last few world meets.

NSL NEWS: Disputing the actual judging calls by the teams is one side of it. Some say that they did not know about the new policy. Were you clearly instructed in Russia about the upcoming change? SOLLY WILLIAMS: Yes, we were clearly instructed in Russia. For some teams it just meant a change in technique. On a personal note: our team did not need to change.

NSL NEWS: Let us go back to the current competition. Is the French team already out of reach? How do you see the chances of the U.S. team to keep up with the French pace? SOLLY WILLIAMS: I came here thinking that winning this meet would be beating the French team. What they have shown us so far in these two jumps is that they look a little quicker than all the other teams. If the order would change between here and round ten, they would need to make mistakes. And the other teams would have to skydive their a….. off.

NSL NEWS: Realistically, how does the race for the bronze medal look like this year? SOLLY WILLIAMS: Two factors have an influence over the next few rounds. Round four does not favor the French continuity, which is the same continuity Sinapsi PD uses. This becomes a 12-pointer for both teams. The other contending teams will have a 6-pointer. The second factor will be round six. The clearly fastest round of the meet will add a lot of pressure. To win a medal here will mean tackling this jump with utmost confidence.

NSL NEWS: 8-way. Has anything surprised you? SOLLY WILLIAMS: No surprises. 8-way has the tendency for teams to lose a round by two or three points and very often make it up on the next jump. This is going to be a dogfight until the very end. In hindsight how about the Italian team, huh? Congratulations on their new national record of 19 points in round three.

NSL NEWS: 4-way Women. Has anything surprised you here? SOLLY WILLIAMS: It is no secret that we came here expecting a showdown between Norway, U.K. and U.S.A. Little was known of the Italian and newly formed French teams. It is great to see how close these teams are to the front-runners.

NSL NEWS: The defending world champion, Synchronicity, seems to be a little behind with the pace. Will they be able to pick it up? Are the Norgie Girls and V-Max really quicker? SOLLY WILLIAMS: The scoreboard would indicate this so far. But I expect the U.S. girls to get over their jittery start and get back in the fight.

NSL NEWS: On another topic: France is on their home turf. Do you see any advantages for them? SOLLY WILLIAMS: I think it is a big advantage to their goal of winning both events. In terms of sleeping in your own bed at night, eating your regular diet and also jumping over a drop zone where you have made many training jumps all add up to a favorable advantage. History has shown how tough it is for a team as strong as Airspeed to tackle this task. They never had hometown advantage as in Australia 1999 or in Spain 2001. Towards the end of this meet we will see if there are any signs of fatigue in the French camp as we have seen Airspeed enduring in the past. Some of the hometown advantage will be lost if this weather continues to keep us on the ground.

NSL NEWS: Why do you think so? SOLLY WILLIAMS: We have enough competition days to have expected a complete day off in the middle of this competition. This would surely have favored the French camp. However, without this day off they would have to be at the drop zone first thing every morning with the 8-way team. NSL NEWS: Thank you, Solly.