DAY 4: COMPETITION ATTITUDE.

“You must be interested in finding the best way,

not having your own way.”

- John Wooden

Breakfast of Champions Part 4 – By now you already know we’re eating dinner for breakfast. ;)
Today’s treat? Baked chicken with boiled broccoli, beans and carrots.

A great day of training yesterday wrapped up with the Team leaving the drop zone pumped that they’re ready. The team is focused on the upcoming competition and took a moment to reflect on the past year’s training and preparation for the meet. Confidence between teammates is growing by the day as the atmosphere is starting to tingle with the familiar buzz.

TEAM USA Tent

We started with GK-8 moving into the TEAM USA tent with the rest of the delegation. It was an empowering feeling to have such a strong US force co-located at the World Parachuting Championships. The day’s work included three practice jumps from the Turbo-Let 410, the final jump was made in conjunction with the current standing 8 Way World Champion French Team.

U.S. Army Golden Knights proudly representing the our country.

As the meet draws closer the Golden Knights pace has slowed, allowing the jumpers to spend more time concentration on each training jump. This will simulate the actual speed that the meet will run. Because fewer jumps are done per day, this means more down-time for the Team Members and a little more time to enjoy the savannah-like environment that Menzelinsk provides. In the center of the Drop Zone is an oasis of small tents, trees, and eating areas that provide some relief from the heat to the competitors. Between jumps the competitors keep connected to home via Wi-Fi connection and spend time in the shaded area under the trees to think about the next jump, or chat with fellow teams.

The competition skydiving community is a unique one in that members of rival teams or countries are often good friends. In fact, it’s not all that uncommon for members of teams competing against one another to ask for advice about the upcoming competition. This promotes a great respect and above par sportsmanship toward all members of our community. Try to imagine rival football teams enjoying dinner together in the days before the Super Bowl, it just wouldn’t happen anywhere else.

The fact of the matter is the world of competitive skydiving is so much fun, it just doesn’t pay to hold grudges. = )

The way ahead?

SATURDAY:
Today is the last day for practice jumps…
1100 (11am) Depart for Drop Zone
1200 (12pm) Arrive Drop Zone, manifest & start practice jumps
1500 (3pm) Pay Competition Registration Fees (an event in and of itself!)
1700 (5pm) is the Team Leaders Meeting
1800 (6pm) We got the Draws …

2010 WPC 8-Way Draw (Page 1)

2010 WPC 8-Way Draws (Page 2)

SUNDAY:
TBA Competition Begins
2000 (8pm) Opening Ceremony

TODAY’S SPECIAL THANKS go to Rezzan Shiel from the United Kingdom who is packing our parachutes here in Menzelinsk.  Over the years, Rezz has helped this team at training camps, U.S. Nationals and World Championships.

Thanks Rezz!