Yesterday (Wed 2 December) was the first day of the canopy piloting event, the management began a practice round of Speed, with a downwind push. 20 skydivers got in the air but the jumping was stopped after this because of turbulent conditions, which was the safest thing to do
#Zone Accuracy
Today (Thursday 3 December) they finished practice round and went into Zone Accuracy. The winds were quite close to the limits (7m/s) so Zone Accuracy is a safer event in these conditions as the landings are into wind, so the pilots are not travelling quite as fast. Zone Accuracy is more challenging when the winds are strong, as you have to keep the speed going through the water drag and keep enough speed to land in the magic red box. It becomes more of a power event than zone accuracy. Many competitors were coming up short but there were a few perfect scores of 100 (stand-up landing in the box after water dragging 4 gates), showing that this was a good call.
There were 2 rejumps due to winds going over the top (Maxine Tate & Martin Reynolds, both UK) and 2 rejumps due to cutaways (Curt Bartholomew and I think Cornelia Mihai). The Zone accuracy event is finished but the scores are yet to be made official.
##Zone Accuracy Unofficial Results
Please note these are the UNOFFICIAL results, as they are yet to be confirmed and signed off by the judges. These were posted at the time but scores may yet be changed if the judges’ video reviews of the landings reveal new data.
1 Curt Bartholomew (USA)
2 Eric Philippe (FRA)
3 Marat ‘Maha’ Leiras (UAE)
4 Nick Batsch (USA)
5 Cornelia Mihai (UAE)
#Max Speed – New Format
Coming up is a brand new event called Max Speed, which is a combination of distance and speed in the one round. This was premiered at DISL (Dubai International Swoop League) at the desert drop zone this weekend. There are 3 entry gates, the first two 50m apart, then the third one 100m. The speed course is a straight one from the 1st to 2nd gate. This is timed for the speed score, then the pilots continue flying, they must stay below the height of the third gate and then go as far as they can for a distance score. The key here is to clip below the bottom of the gates, this is to stop pilots rising up too far.
Pilots gain a speed and distance score in one jump. This means it’s very important not to fluff the gates as then you could score a zero in two events. There will be 2 Max Speed Rounds, 2 conventional Carving Speed and 2 conventional Dragging Distance. Some pilots prefer conventional speed and distance as being more skill-based but others are looking forward to trying the new format. No-one has really had a chance to train this event so it will be interesting.
Pilots went on a hold due to strong winds but there are two more days of the competition left, with a favourable weather forecast so hopefully we will get the competition finished.
#4-way
The 3 fast rounds done today lifted everyone’s averages and most people’s spirits. Canada (Evolution) pulled even further ahead and are sitting pretty, 11 points ahead with one round to go. Belgium have pulled back their 8 point loss, and more, overtaking the Americans and sneaking back into second place. Hayabusa are having a great time and are stoked with their scores, the first time Jeroen ‘Bob’ Nollett has scored over 30. USA had an incredible round 9, scoring higher than anyone with a 35 to Canada’s 34 and Belgium’s 32. SDC Rhythm (USA) are just one point behind Hayabusa (BEL) going into the final round so it’s going to be an exciting finish, with $4,000 riding on a single point.
Most videos are now uploaded to Omniskore, available by clicking on the round score for each team.
4-way scores and 4-way videos on Omniskore
#4-way Female
As noted in earlier reports the gold and silver medals are already clear but a huge battle is going on for bronze with 3 evenly matched teams. UK are still hanging onto third place after the 3 fast rounds. They are 2 points clear of Germany, with Canada 1 point behind. The Canadian ladies picked up their game today, outscoring the others.
The final round is scheduled for Thursday at noon Dubai time. It’s a working jump, of three blocks (11, 12, 10) so probably the positions will remain the same – but you never know!
4-way female scores and video on Omniskore
#8-way
UAE had a fantastic day, pulling into second place and now 2 points ahead of the very much more experienced Russian team. They also won a round for the second time, scoring 21 points with a draw of O, J, 15, L. France is still out in front, and there are 2 rounds to go to complete. The next jump is 11, 10, 1 (Norwegian box, Norwegian donut; Donut, 540, donut; donut flake, donut flake) – a jump with a multitude of puzzles, and massive potential for confusion. Anything could happen!
8-way scores and video on Omniskore
#Freestyle
France 1 romped into first place, increasing their lead over France 2. Finland had a disappointing round 5, scoring a 6.1 to USA’s 7.4. This single round difference was enough to lose them the bronze medal position, which went to Animare, a great result for Brian and Amanda Festi, especially as they were pushing through an injury.
Freestyle scores and video on Omniskore
More info: DIPC on Emirates Airsports Federation website, including photos, video, results and a Live Stream
