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2000 U.S. Nationals of Style & Accuracy

Orange, MA

Friday, June 9

Monday = Clouds. Two rounds of accuracy.
Tuesday = Rain. No jumping.
Wednesday = Wind. One round of style.
Thursday = Fog. Three rounds of style.
Friday = CLEAR BLUE & 72!

They fired up accuracy at 7:30 this morning and proceeded to pound the tuffet into submission for most of the day, which was interrupted only for a couple of hours by high winds and a bit of rain in the afternoon.

By the end of this Friday, we've completed seven rounds of accuracy and all but a few jumps of style. It's still too early to declare a winner in any event. Despite the bout of rough weather, I would have to say that it has been a very successful and *SUPERBLY* run nationals , and the U.S. should be fielding a very strong team at the world meet.

There have been many fine individual performances this week, but one that stands out in my mind is Shawn Callahand. Shawn managed to sustain the only injury of the meet (so far) by spraining an ankle on a bail of hay after a style jump yesterday. Today, he shot accuracy on his "other" foot and is in the running to win either style, accuracy, or combined. Cheryl Stearns is putting in yet another strong show, and there are many other S&A veterans I wish I had time to talk about. A really great group of competitors here this week.

It all wraps up tomorrow by 1630 with the banquet several hours later. Look for the final wrap-up in the next issue of Parachutist.