posted Aug 30th, 2012 - Round 9 is complete at the World Cup 2012, and the Aerodyne Deep Blue Defenders continue their comeback. The 7-point deficit to the Golden Knights after Round 6 has turned into a 1-point lead after Round 9. How did that happen? The competition videos will show it later, and the NSL News has also asked for NSL Talks sessions with both teams after the completion of the meet.

Thunder defends the 2nd place in the Open Class strongly and is currently seven points ahead of SportLoto from Russia with only one more round to go. The silver medals for the Dutch/Belgian lineup are secured, unless they miss the plane in Round 10, or somebody falls off the plane - which could happen...

The situation in Prostejov is new and unique in the sport. Two teams from Belgium are in the first two places at an international FAI competition. Powerhouses France and USA have created similar standings on the top of leaderboards in the past. NMP-PCH Hayabusa won a World Cup in 2007, but there has surely not been a second team from Belgium in 2nd place at the same time.

Hayabusa won after a jump-off with France in 2007, the team's first year after Roy Janssen, Andy and David Grauwels had joined the Belgian military to train full time. Sven Ibens, Hayabusa's Center Inside until 2006, could not make the same move and left the team. Now he is back with Thunder and in 2nd place for Belgium at the World Cup 2012.

The new video clip shows SportLoto with the first five rounds, including one more time the Italian exit dilemma in Round 2. SportLoto has secured the bronze medals for Russia with a 21.3 average after nine rounds.

Thunder had a very interesting exit experience in Round 9, as well. Tail Jacco van Eerden was struggling with his position, and the Belgian team climbed back in, while he improved his balance as much as it was possible in a few seconds. Thunder then pulled a perfect exit and posted the second highest score of the round. Hold on tight in Round 10, Thunder...