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Both the skydiving community and the community as a whole have lost a Great Man. These words are often used to describe politicians, athletes and world leaders. To often, these words are missing when describing men like Ricky. A friend, a skydiver, a teammate, a husband, a father, a son, a Marine, a Sheriff, a joker, a lover of life and a lover of people. He created men; he saved men; and he protected us. Not because he had to, but because he wanted to. He was these things, and he excelled at them all. Ricky epitomized Greatness. Set can be proud of her husband. His sons can be proud of their father. And we can be proud of our friend. We are blessed, and have become better human beings, for having known him for even the short time he was with us. Ricky was a member of the GT Family, the Boardwalk Family and the Skydive Elsinore Family. His memory will be kept in our hearts. His love of the sport will be expressed in our flight. He will be missed. And his life will be celebrated. Fly free my friend, the climbs to altitude are over. Steve, Kathee and the GT Family

I was a 4-way team guy for 8 years, jumped Michigan, Tony and Bev during that time. While not a huge Michigan fan, I don't think you can go wrong with either Tony or Bev (we were sponsored by bev by way of disclosure). I'm not sure about your home dz, but Perris and Elsinore have a fair number of team jumpers that trade in RW suits on a regular basis. Its not unusual to find used jumpsuits in great condition at a reasonable price. Best thing - you can demo them. If your home DZ has this available, it might be a better way to go on your first RW suit than buying new. One more suggestion - if you seriously want to fly video at some point, learn to fly well on your belly without booties before moving to a jumpsuit with booties. Just my 2 cents worth. Steve GT

Hey Kirk - I may have missed this thread someplace else, but have you thought about hosting an "Indoor Nationals"? Steve Elsinore GT

fly into burbank instead!!!!

congrats to the old storm crew - well deserved. Ok now on to 8-way. For those watching at home - of the top 3 8-way teams, is any of them interested in the World Meet Bid? Given the 75% rule to get sanctioned by USPA, this would appear unlikely - discuss. Steve - GT

Even more importantly, if they are not registered as a "Guest", that creates some big problems for some US teams at nationals here. Any scores from the UK?????

Well put Kirk. Couldn't have said it better. Steve GT

the Porter is the Devil's aircraft!!!! Nothing like watching an 8-way get, or should I say squeeze out. If there are any skysurfers left in this world, watch out for the wing on exit. Standing up too fast can hurt!!!

Maybe one of the more math-inclined folks out there can do the math, but what would happen if you ran the Artistice Events concurrently with 4-way and made 4-way a 3 day event instead of a 2 day event (weather permitting). Would this permit all events to end on the same day thereby solving the "attendance" at awards issue? Frankly, I'd be happy doing days of 4,3,3 or 4,4,2 rather than 7/3. I realize that this plan would require 4-way jumpers to all stay on extra day. This may not be popular. Just thought I'd float the idea, although I suspect it has already been considered at some point. S.

So you agree with me then my friend??? I believe that was my ultimate solution following my recitation of the facts for those much younger than ourselves!! S.

For those that are new to Nationals, or at least within the last few years, all of these issues have been debated for years. Taking them in order - 1. Awards. There is a never ending debate on this one. FS jumpers, especially 4-way given its the largetst of the events, want awards to be right after the completion of the event. There is more excitement, more energy in the group and the largest turnout when this happens. Chicago did it best in my opinion, but Perris was right there as well both in 2005 and in 2000. No waiting, no fuss, no muss. The video show in Chicago was also a very nice touch. This desire as been competing with the desire of the other events, including freefly and the other Artistic Events, as well as Crw and classics, to have a good crowd for their awards as well. A desire I can appreciate having been on the other side for a year (skysurf video). All of these competitors deserve the same respect and honor that 4-way and the other FS events receive. The medal winners here are just as important and any other medal winners. Therein lies the issue that every National's meet director and USPA try to deal with. Several solutions have been offered and tried. Other events first, FS last; awards at the end of the week, awards in the middle of the week for some etc. etc. They are yet to find a perfect solution. On the international scene, this is remedied by running the meet over a course of the week so that the final rounds of all events are run on the last two days. Keeps everybody there and occupied. This would work great here EXCEPT that most 4-way competitors try to take as little vacation time as possible. The number of 4-way competitors that actually do the other events is very small. So, this solution really doesn't work either. Is there a solution - I don't know. From where I sit, somebody takes it in the shorts regardless of how the event is scheduled. That being the case, I would attempt to make the largest number of people happy which means, at least for 4-way, having the awards right after the completion of the event with party to follow. I wouldn't like it, but IMO its the best option. 2. NSL v. USPA - it has been discussed over and over. you can see prior threads. Unlikely to ever happen and US teams will likely continue to always be chosen at Nationals. Our sport has not yet developed to a point were the top teams will agree to expend the cash and energy to participate in a series of competitions. We are simply not there yet. Americas cup, Skysurf tour etc. have all failed in this type of structure. Maybe some day. Its good forward thinking. I believe track and Field and Swimming only recently moved to Olympic selection by a series of events rather than the "Olympic trials" Not sure where Ice Skating currently is. All of these sports are much larger than ours. Besides, keeping it to a single meet selection makes the "on year" events that much more exciting to watch. 3. 4 teams per pass. Piss on this. I'm a spotting wuss in any event, happy I didn't have to deal with this issue. 2 teams per pass is standard and gives you plenty of time. Sometime you are still out on this plan with triple parrell jump runs etc. If an event can't be completed under those rules, the host shouldn't be hosting it. Eloy knows better. To me, this is a fuel cost issue. More profit for the DZ or whomever gets the cash at a nationals event. FYI - fuel cost explains the extra entry fee. Its all about money. Of course I wasn't there this year so I have no right to bitch. Accordingly, everybody can ignore my opinion. Just my 2 cents worth. Steve GT

What has this world come to, a player coach in Intermediate 8-way.

Airspeed by 30+ unless Paraclete has been training, then Airspeed by 25 (assuming a 10 round meet). Race for the balance of the medals should be interesting. This is a no brainer.

Hey betsy - Where's the tidbits update for us unfortunate souls who can't make it this year. Typically by now, there are several bits of news and pics of teams showing up etc. For the top teams, 2 days out from start is usually a pretty good day, with a very light day one day out. There must be info/news/tidbits to bit had. Help a brother out!!! Steve team formerly known as GT

I'm jealous. I'll be sitting in an overly air-conditioned ballroom listening to corporate touchy feely bable. They call it a retreat - yeah, retreat from what is what I want to know. Enjoy all. Did you get Martens to stay for 8-way?

Hey Jan - Where are the scrores from the POPS -

Wish GT was going to be there. Would be fun to take on those crazy youngsters on Divewerkz and those Punks on Voltage ; ). Look out for those sneaky Advanced class guys/gals from NorCal, they have a Gnome (besides Gary!!). Gnomes are scary. I heard they are registering him as their alternate. Steve GT

Well, NSL has spilled the beans that Ron's birdie was talkin about. Would have been more interesting to see how the intended line up would have done. Ron - I didn't know about Fiasco, have they trained or just pick-up?

Pretty good summary - but lets not leave Fasttrax out of the mix. From a distance, it appears to be a 4 team race. Also of interest, is the race for the next tier of teams. AZ thunder, Dallas Thunder, Fury, Gravity and Defiance. Some really good weekend teams in there (Note: Gravity and Fury are more than weekend teams, no debate on this point intended here). It will be interesting to see where the Knights fall in this mix. I would not put it past them to be a sleeper in that top 4, perhaps it should be a top 5. Haven't heard much form the Advanced class teams this year. Could be some sleepers and some very good pick-up teams in attendance. Sorry I'm gonna miss it this year. Steve GT

Andi - Who is Storm this year? Steve GT

ahhhhhhhhhhh youngster - Sat/Sat was formerly in the 4-way dive pool. The 4-way version is the same as the 8-way version. Two-way piece does 360, sidebody's do individual 360's. Fun block.

All of the top teams did different things with video on block 12. You should have seen the discussions happening in Gap during the world meet. But, 'nuff said about that, whats the new 12 gonna be? Suggestion: Sat/sat as block 12, put blackhole in as random O or, new block 12, Blackhole/blackhole Steve GT

as far as I know.

actually, it got really crazy when teams used a Block 12 specialist for video

Front piece - old 12 much more fun, don't we have enough spining compressed moves already?? Rear piece - old 12, boring, sit and wait. New 12, another spining sidebody - oh joy. Sum - Zipper star wins by default notwithstanding silly center point. showing intent blah, blah, blah. Lets invent a new 12