posted Nov 28th, 2011 - The NSL News mentioned yesterday that NMP-PCH Hayabusa could not try to defend the gold medals at the ISR Grand Prix 2011 since the Belgian team is already in Dubai to go after the $40,000 for the 1st place in the Open Class competition. The NSL News now shifts the attention very quickly from Roosendaal in the Netherlands to the 3rd Dubai Championship 2011.

Max Thiele, 4way bronze medal winner at the World Cup 2011 with Paratec-Saar, is still filling a slot for the Falcons lineup of the Qatar teams who also competed at the USPA Nationals 2011. He provides some insights live from Dubai where the final preparations for the upcoming competition are in full swing.

It is another interesting coincidence that the NSL News shifting from Roosendaal to Dubai includes two Paratec-Saar members. Dieter Schwarz was just mentioned as he filled a slot for the silver medalist of the ISR Grand Prix 2011, ISB Air Remscheid, while his team mate Max Thiele fills the slot for the Qatar Falcons. ISB Air Remscheid member Petra van Overveld, on the other hand, was just piece partnering with Max Thiele for the Paratec-Saar lineup when she filled the slot for Dieter Schwarz at the German Nationals 2011. It's a small world...

Max Thiele reported from Dubai that Monday was a relaxed training day at the competition site. Teams and competitors of different disciplines were busy testing the logistics. Canopy Pilots and Accuracy competitors could use the original competition site on the palm tree island, while the 4way teams still trained in the desert, 45 minutes away from the hotel.

Max Thiele's Qatar Falcons trained in the desert together with Team Blue, who the NSL News introduced with the story on 26 November 2011, and with NMP-PCH Hayabusa. Believe it or not, but the top contenders from Belgium pack their own parachutes, as the photo proves. The budget of the Belgian military seems to be tight, or could it be the physical exercise? Whatever it is, Hayabusa is well rested this time and well prepared for the meet where they plan to beat the French 4way world champions this time.

Team Blue is also in great shape and very focused, as Max Thiele reported. The female world class competitors from the United Kingdom are at least in synch with their ground work and give the impression of a well trained team. The first videos will hopefully soon show what Team Blue has to offer in freefall. The Russian Illusions are in full training action, as well, and nobody knows yet how the new lineup will perform.

The weather is in favor of the teams in training at the moment, as it is warm and dry with little wind in Dubai. The huge tent city on the palm tree island, with a green landing area and the swooping pond, includes an air conditioned hangar and dinner tent. The delegations are accommodated in two first class hotels, and the meet officials seem to be even a level up as of comfort and luxary. This Wednesday is the official training day, which will offer even more and better impressions from the competition site.

The Dubai Championship 2011 includes the traditional Gulf Cup where the Qatar Tigers and Craig Girard's Dubai Red team will probably compete for the gold medals. Craig Girard plans to organize a special event during the event. The 40-year anniversary of the United Arabian Emirates is coming up soon, and the former Airspeed world champion and Dubai Red player coach wants to build a 40-way formation with the best skydivers he can recruit in Dubai.

Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, a skilled skydiver himself, will be a part of the freefall celebration...