4th AEROKART INTERNATIONAL INDOOR CHALLENGE
25th & 26th Febuary 2006
The 4th International indoor challenge is due to be held at Aerokart –Paris at the end of Feb 2006.
Although we have not been given the exact format of this year’s event we presume that it will be held on the same lines as the previous events.
LAST YEAR 2005
Last years event was the 3rd Aerokart International Indoor challenge. It took place during the last weekend of February and was once again an outstanding success, attracting teams from as far a-field as Canada and South Africa.
The high profile venue, the official recognition by the French Sporting Authorities of wind tunnel flying and the competition itself prompted the eager sponsorship by some top sporting manufacturers. Prizes were good, ranging from free and discounted canopies to free wind tunnel and go-karting time.
The basis of the event were two individual competitions running in parallel.
The first was the VR4 with the second the VR3.
VR4 is a full-blown four-way event. Entries ranged from National and professional teams, to multinational scratch teams.
The VR3 competition is a three-way event, specifically designed for less experienced teams and as a “stepping-stone” on the way upto four-way, as such the top 3 teams are normally “encouraged” to move upto four-way for future events.
I think it would be fair to say that the level of competence required to compete in either event was relatively high, although the spirit of the event is to encourage flyers of all levels.
Both the VR4 &VR3 are run on the same lines. Both events comprising of eight rounds, each round made up of a set 5-point sequence. Scoring is simply the time it takes to complete three repeats of this set 5-point sequence. Faults result in time penalties with a max time out of 60seconds. The sequences are contrived rather than drawn from a hat, which means that they include a goods balance of random’s and blocks, cleverly selected they produce some tremendous formation combinations.
The competition sequences are issued on the morning of the event and not before (as in previous years). This rightly prevented the practicing of sequences prior to the event and removed any advantage some teams have had previously by repeatedly practicing the formations in the tunnel prior to the competition.
Registration for all the teams was at 08:30hrs, then following a short bilingual introduction the event got under way.
Six out of the eight rounds were to be run on the Saturday with the remaining two rounds completed on the Sunday. This provided ample time to work out all the sequences, then sit back to soak in the atmosphere. Lunch on both days was a leisurely break with the type of buffet that only the French can provide. Again as you would expect with the French, battle re-commenced only after a respectable break to allow the proper time for “meal digestion” as they say. By around 19:00hrs the six rounds were completed and attention turned to the Go-Karting challenge. This fun section of the competition is provided free of charge as an integral part of the event. Although optional, most competitors took part and by the looks on their faces as they returned, eagerly clutching their time sheets, it was just as competitive as the formation flying!
It was then onto the evening meal and straight into the Saturday night party.
4th AEROKART INTERNATIONAL INDOOR CHALLENGE
25th & 26th Febuary 2006
The only British contingent last year comprised of a rather unusual team called FUBAR.
FUBAR is made up from two English AFF students Nigel & Alison Haslam and their instructor William. With only 20 jumps between them Nigel & Alison have become totally addicted to RW in the wind tunnel, opting to be trained indoors as opposed to following the more traditional sky diving route.
Team FUBAR is once again planning to compete in the 2006 Aerokart challenge.
With the dive pool including blocks and randoms Nigel say’s “This time we are totally out of our depth but we looking forward to a good fun event”.
He adds
“We don’t stand a chance and will probably get slaughtered but who cares. We will give it our best shot and see where we end up”
He also says “ In 2004 we won Protracks, in 2005 we won free PDF canopies—what a irony! We don’t jump at the moment --- anyone out there want to buy a cheap PDF canopy of their choice?”
THIS YEAR---THE GLOVES ARE OFF!
The Gauntlet is Down!
We now have two UK Wind tunnels, each of which have their own sponsored teams.
So come on Bedford, Airkix and the rest of you Skydivers, don’t let Alison and Nigel be the only UK entry again.
After all “It would be rather a poor show chaps” if the best we can send to represent the UK are two AFF Students with less than 20 jumps between them!
In past years the French have dominated this Sport, so don’t you think it would be good fun to challenge that domination?
Why not put some Brit’s on the Aerokart podium this year!
(I am sure that they are planning to put their teams on our UK Wind Tunnel podiums as soon as our indoor competitions start).
At last year’s competition it was said that the reason some teams did not enter the comp was that they did not have the guts to perform in front of an audience!
Personally I find that type of comment offensive and am sure you do too! After all if Nigel & Alison are prepared to have a go then surely our experienced teams should rise to the challenge. ------Brits with no Balls!----NEVER!
What do you think?
Lets give Nigel & Alison a helping hand this year and show the French what the best British skydivers can do. Please please please don’t leave it upto Nigel & Ali, they will try there best but need the support of good experienced teams!
For further details contact Aerokart or give Nigel a call on 07831879809.