Tidbits (Timbits + Tedbits)
Tuesday, October 26 -
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Nobody creeping yet... |
0800
Yesterday's weather forecast was spot on as we have a steady rain under
solid gray skies this morning. There will be nothing to report for
several hours at best. Ech, now it's raining wallabies and dingoes...
Ah, a big pile of e-mail this morning. At least a dozen people have
pointed out the dreaded "file not found" error for the
Aussie's 8-way video. The file is not there because I FTP'd it to the
server when I left last night, and it didn't make it all the way before
it timed out. I will try again later today.
The world is apparently enjoying the British > Norway battle just
as much as the France > USA in 4-way. And what do all four of these
teams have in common? Why, they all train in the States, of course. I
think it would be a real treat if these four teams got together for a
16-way or two after the competition. Someone do the math and tell me how
many jumps they have between them all. It's a LOT.
Hmmm...there is a guy here from England...who owns an American
company...who just TRIED to compete in the last US Nationals... who is
cheering for the French and the Russians...and he wants to sponsor
OmniSkore. Derek my man, where are your priorities? ;-)
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Waiting for blue skies... |
"I've seen better
days..." |
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It's called a "Cresco,"
it's from New Zealand, and it looks like it carries about 10
jumpers. |
The stolen equipment reported in yesterdays 'bits has been recovered.
I hear it was found in a rubbish can behind the police station! I don't
think they've recovered the video camera, though.
Okay, want to see some interesting numbers?
Here is the math:
Top
4-Way Team Experience (not including video slot) |
Team |
Total
# Jumps |
Team
Jumps |
United States (Airspeed) |
50,000 |
3,000 |
France (Maubeuge) |
23,000 |
3,500 |
Great Britain (XL) |
35,000 |
1,500 |
Norway (Norgies) |
19,000 |
2,200 |
Total jumps: |
127,000 |
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That is a lot of jumps!
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And a HAPPY
26th ANNIVERSARY for Bob and Kate! |
1100
Bob and Kate Charters are two of the Formation Skydiving
judges here, hailing from the UK.
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1300
A 15-minute just went out for 4-way, freestyle and skysurf.
The early going today will have France and USA catching
up with the sixth round of 4-way and USA catching up with the sixth
round of 8-way. Okay, USA 8-way round 6 is up first. Here we go...it
looks like a good jump, did they get that last point in time? They are
looking at it again, wow! The last point was right on the freeze frame,
and three of the five judges agreed it was there for a score of 22, and
USA 8-way takes a six point lead after six rounds. Now France 4-way
round five; a very smooth fast jump for 18 points, and they have
increased their lead by a point! What a way to start the day over here.
My sources inform me (thank you Charla) that they are
going to continue with 4-way through the afternoon; only France, USA,
and Japan have yet to do round six to complete minimums for the event.
Not forgotten, the women are also having a great battle
with Sweden and and Great Britain hot on the high heels of
Australia.
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The British (L) and Norway
(R) 4-ways are putting on a show of their own. |
1500
Great Britain scored a 18 on their round 7, caught me napping and I
didn't see it. Where are les Norgies? Ah, but first France and USA are
up with their round 6. France...a very good jump, 24 points! Will
Airspeed be able to close the gap? Here they go - a very fast jump!
Another last point right on the freeze frame, is it there? Yes, a 26!
BALL GAME IS TIED! That was a fabulous effort, quick and smooth. Holy
smokes what a meet we got going here! Here's the Norgies now - round 7 -
another good jump, one glitch on a snow > box near the end, but they
score a 20 and jump in front of Great Britain by a point! Cancel that
coffee Charla!
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Sweden Women's 4-Way |
The Canadian delegation -
click for larger image |
1600
When I was walking around with the camera a while ago, I kept
hearing comments about how many of the events are in such tight
contests. When this is all over, whoever is left standing on the
winner's platform is going to have earned it for sure!
Over in the "hmmm..." department...looking over
France's 4-way results, they are skydiving very cleanly with no
penalties. But in round one they had the unusual occurrence of three out
of five judges not giving them a point, but still not getting a penalty
for it (two J's and a 0).
Airspeed is also skydiving very cleanly, with the single exception of
that busted cat on round 4. Both teams look like they are "in the
zone."
There is but one round left to go in the women's cup, and Australia
is two in front of Great Britain and five in front of Sweden.
1700
USA and France are dubbing round 7 now. France is up
first...wow...they had a dropped grip on a snow > box and only one
judge saw it, they get a 21, I'm sure they'll take it. USA now, they
have a couple of glitches in there, they get a 19 and France takes a two
point lead with two jumps left! Unbelievable.
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Airspeed boarding for round
7. |
Charlie Brown, USA 8-way
alternate |
Quote of the day, from the South Africans: "Kill the flies -
before they kill Kenny!"
And now Norway's round 8, Great Britain has done a 17 already, and
the Norgies have another great jump with a 19, very nice! An excellent
score for that jump, and they are now three point in front of Great
Britain with two jumps to go. Check out the video
clips page later for some more jumps.
It looks like they are done for the day here. I'm not sure if the
book is closed on France's round 7; they sure had an obvious bust,
possibly a double one at that. It would be a shame if a judging
controversy effects the outcome of this wonderful match-up, but hey,
that's competition for you!
Closing out the day with a more positive note, USA's women's skysurf
O'Brien/O'Brien has jumped into the lead after round 8, and USA men's
freestyle Rimple/Hetherington is still second behind AUS Crick/King. Hey
where'd everybody go? Well, off to the bar it is then!
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