News

As at every World Championship, the first day is the day of the Big Welcome of old and new friends, acquaintances and competitors from around the World. The field consists of a record-breaking 29 nations in total, with 25 competing nations in the 4-Way.

The organisation is outstanding, in just a few minutes we register, sign up for a training jump and move into our team tent. The only drawback on this day is that the second Twin Otter has to stay in the hangar. Therefore, with only one aircraft, the training jumps take a little time. We are one of the few teams that manage an official training jump before wind and weather bring the training session to a stop in the afternoon. Our jump is excellent, proving that we are well prepared.

Although the rain stops for the opening ceremony, a big part of the supporting programme falls victim to the bad weather. But in spite of the awful weather the good mood remains.

Today, due to an Eastern European low pressure system, we experience the worst the weather has to offer. A combination of incessant rain, wind and low-lying cloud turns the competition into one long break. We are using the time to to analyse the draw, prepare the jumps and to do some fitness training. In between, we try to get through the day with meals and small talk with the other competitors. We now feel that we have really begun the World Championships, and want to turn that feeling into a fantastic performance. Despite changeable weather being forecast for tomorrow, hope dies last.

What a long day! After an early start at 7 am, the competition came to a stop again at 9 am due to wind and clouds. But after a longlasting and exhausting waiting period, the first round finished just before sunset. We are satisfied with our 1st round, especially as the draw is not our favourite one. As expected, Norway and Belgium are a little bit better, the French are not very accurate in their jump and after a 2 point penalty they have the same score as us. Surprisingly, a lot of nations are close behind us, including The Netherlands, Spain, South Africa, Canada, and Denmark. But who looks behind?! Our goal is now not to lose contact to France, Norway and Belgium.

All weather gods seem to gang up on us. The early start is cursed with steady rain and low clouds. We are spending the day with an intercultural exchange of presents and friendship. In the evening the sky clears up and we transform the built-up tension into a fast and very accurate jump that earns us 23 points, securing our 7th place. Now, we have the proof that we judged our potential and that of our direct competitors Denmark, Norway and Belgium right.

We never, ever have experienced such a crazy competition day as today: 5 flights, 3 jumps, 2 competition rounds. Due to cloud we had to land again twice, one jump we had to repeat. Repeat jumps are generally not very welcome during competitions. They strain the nerves and are usually not better than the first jump. In our case, we at least got the same score. The longest competition day of our career ended after 14 hours with a moderate performance in Round 5. With 18 scored points, our lead over the Danish is shrinking to only 4 points. At the top, the US-Team jumps a brilliant 28 points and has now a healthy margin to the rest of the field.

It’s over! The weather played us another hoax: none of the started semi-final and final rounds in the different disciplines could be finished. The World Championships end with the score after the first five rounds. Final score: 1. USA, 2. France, 3. Italy, 4. Russia, 5. Norway, 6. Belgium, 7. Germany, 8. Denmark.

At least for the medal ceremony the weather gets better. We can even do a demonstration and photo jump for the German TV station ZDF. The complete German A- and B-squad – including the EADS Team – conjures the letters “ZDF” as a 22-way-formation into the sky.

Also, the contrary weather during the championship seams to have no influence on the spirit of the medal ceremony and the final party. The World Championships 2006 in Gera, Germany end with a good celebration – also for the EADS Team.