posted Nov 24th, 2015 - It is about time to turn full attention from all other events and topics to the Clash of Champions. There is a very simple and logical reason for this shift of attention.

4-way Formation Skydiving competition is still by far the most popular discipline in the sport, as the numbers of participation keep showing over and over again at many different events.

The 4-way AAA Class competition at the Clash of Champions is not only by far the most popular event in Dubai this week - it is also the potential of the field of teams that deserves all the attention.

The combination of the $121,000 jackpot only for 4-way and 8-way Formation Skydiving competition with the outstanding and unique field of teams explains by itself why this week will be dedicated to the Clash of Champions.

The hosts of the upcoming double-header (Clash of Champions - Inflight Dubai/World Air Games - Skydive Dubai) both had high hopes that the best teams in the world would visit Dubai.

Rank	4-way Open Top 10	Country	Averages	Best 3
1	NMP-PCH Hayabusa	BE	30.4 - 30.1 - 31.1	30.5
2	Pas Op	INT	29.3	29.3
3	Arizona Airspeed	US	29.4 - 28.7	29.1
4	Black Cat	RU	28.1	28.1
	Golden Knights	US	25.4 - 26.2 - 29.4	27.0
5	SDC Rhythm XP	US	26.6 - 27.3	27.0
6	Weembi Lille	FR	26.8	26.8
7	France 4-way Open	FR	26.2	26.2
8	Gavroches	FR	26.1 - 25.7 - 26.3	26.0
9	Thunder ISR	BE	25.4 - 25.7	25.6
10	SportLoto	RU	25.4	25.4

Indoor Chief Judge and Coordinator Pete Allum now has enough evidence for his event, with only a few of the best 4-way teams in the world not competing at Inflight Dubai this week.

The Sun Path Products NSL News introduced the World Indoor Team Rankings with the story on November 12th, which considered all 4-way indoor scores of the 2015 season.

Only three of the listed Top 10 teams will not be in Dubai this week, and the event includes the big showdown for the top spot between NMP-PCH Hayabusa and Arizona Airspeed.

The international Pas Op lineup (Julien Degen, Roy Janssen, Dennis Praet, Perrine Sanchez) was in 2nd place of the world rankings after a 29.3 average at Aerokart in February, and the listing was questionable to begin with, due to the international lineup of a 1-meet pickup team.

Rank	Clash of Champions - Top 10	Country	Averages	Best 3
1	NMP-PCH Hayabusa	BE	30.4 - 30.1 - 31.1	30.5
2	Arizona Airspeed	US	29.4 - 28.7	29.1
3	Black Cat	RU	28.1	28.1
4	Golden Knights	US	25.4 - 26.2 - 29.4	27.0
5	Weembi Lille	FR	26.8	26.8
6	France 4-way Open	FR	26.2	26.2
7	Gavroche	FR	26.1 - 25.7 - 26.3	26.0
8	Thunder ISR	BE	25.4 - 25.7	25.6
9	Qatar Tigers	QA	24.6 - 26.0	25.3
10	French Girls	FR	25.2	25.2

Two Pas Op members are actually committed to their primary job assignments this week, Dennis Praet for NMP-PCH Hayabusa in 4-way and Thund8rbirds in 8-way. Julien Degen competes with the French national 8-way team and is also back with Weembi Lille, who were in 6th place of the world rankings.

This French world-class lineup will be different though, as Sophia Pecout and Christine Malnis compete with the French Girls at Inflight Dubai.

SDC Rhythm XP and SportLoto are the two other missing Top 10 teams, and SportLoto has been limited as an indoor 4-way team only at the World Challenges between 2013 and 2015.

The Top 10 field at the Clash of Champions might be even more powerful, as the French Girls (FLY-IN) and the Qatar Tigers fill up the Top 10 slots for the missing teams. They are both also their countries' national 4-way teams in outdoor 4-way competition, and the Qatar Tigers just posted a 26.0 average at the 1st FAI World Indoor Skydiving Championships. Test flying for air speed and competition draw are scheduled for Thursday afternoon, Round 1 for Friday morning.