posted Oct 11th, 2007 - It took only two days after the NSL News story on October 9 until Dan BC announced Bodyflight Storm's decision to the NSL News. The British 4-way champion of 2007 will compete in IPC's female category at the World Meet 2008 in France.

This puts Great Britain once again in the position of the top contender in this category, and it now offers Team Elan the opportunity to become the first all-female line-up in history that competes in the Open Class at a World Championship of Formation Skydiving. The British Parachute Association (BPA) still has to sanction both UK national teams.

Team Zooey (Satu Munnukka, Mia Broman, Taina Rajala, Suvi Peltonen, Ahti Kangas on camera) from Finland had the same opportunity to represent its country in the Open Class at the World Meet 2003 in France. However, the Finish 4-way champion of 2003 decided to compete in IPC's female category.

It was already the second time this year that an all-female line-up won the British national championship in 4-way. Airkix took the British Open Class gold medals in 2006, shortly after winning the World Meet 2006 in the female category. The NSL News was already wondering by then (22 August 2006) what Airkix would do in the future:

"What will be next for Perris Airkix? The Finish team Zooey signed up for the competition in the female category at the World Meet 2003 in France after winning the Open Class competition at home. Airkix could become the first all-female team to respresent a nation in the Open Class competition of a World Championship of Formation Skydiving."

The Airkix progression (19.0 in Germany) offered a realistic chance to possibly even win medals at the World Meet in 2008: "Natasha Montgomery was the first female 4-way world champion in the Open Class. Airkix now has the opportunity to pursue the Open Class medals with an all-female line-up."

Things became a new turn when Airkix split up into Team Elan and Bodyflight Storm. The 19.0 average of 2006 was not the foundation for any of the new line-ups any longer. Both teams had to start on a significantly lower level and make their ways up to 18.1 (Team Storm) and 16.5 (Team Elan) this year.

It is now quite unlikely that Bodyflight Storm's 18.1 average this year could bring the team anywhere close to medal contention in the Open Class at the World Meet 2008. Only less than one year is left, and the competition in the Opern Class is very strong. Bodyflight Storm's decision to compete in IPC's female category is not surprising.

It will be left for another all-female team in the future to eventually win medals in IPC's Open Class. However, there will still be more than enough challenges and goals for Team Storm next year.

The expected tough competition with France and the US team Fastrax Blue will most likely push all three teams past the 20-average level. The Russian team Jet Bats may even join this race, as well. Bodyflight Storm will have to work hard to maintain the current top position.

Two of the top teams' coaches, Dan BC (Bodyflight Storm) and Thomas Hughes (Fastrax Blue), have already made plans to work together and push the performance and scoring level by training side by side at a few camps in Perris. Both teams will also attend meets of the Southern California Skydiving League (SCSL) next year.

Dan BC just announced the SCSL schedule for the 2008 season after discussing it with his counterpart in Elsinore, John Hamilton. The four meets of the regular season (April 12 - Elsinore, May 31 - Perris, July 19 - Elsinore, September 13 - Perris) will offer the teams the opportunity to test their skills in competition atmosphere.

There are also personal challenges and goals, and especially Claire "Sparky" Scott has the opportunity to write more history next year. She could become the first female 4-way competitor winning three gold medals in IPC's female category. She was a V-Max member in 2003 and won her second gold medal in Germany last year with Airkix.

Only Sally Hathaway has won two gold medals, as well, with the US team Synchronicity in 2001 and 2004. She will not compete next year in France and cannot keep up with Sparky's run for the third gold medal.