The last meet of the 2015 season was nothing short of amazing. 40 competitors(18Pro, 22 Amateur) were in attendance at Skydive Paraclete XP. For some, it was their last chance grab at points for a top FLCPA season overall placing. For others it was their first few days in preparing for USPA CP Nationals that begins later that week.
The weather was great for the competition day. Light and variable down winds turned for the speed and distance events made for a fun morning. The last rounds of zone accuracy were held in a steady but light headwind making the stand-up landings attainable.
PRO: From jump 1 this meet Jay Sanders grabbed first place and refused to let it go. He took 200 points in the speed event. Ryan Brownlow and Julio Munoz were both giving close chase, but fell off the race for the top after the first distance round. Ryan narrowly missed the entry gate on a monster distance run, and Julio took a zero after missing the course.
As we moved into Zone Accuracy, Paulinho Marques, Albert Berchtold, Matt Shull, Jared Zell, and Scott Harper were all in the hunt for the Podium. With 2 91’s, Harper pushed his way up for the Silver Medal overall. Matt Shull took the Bronze overall.
Amateur: What an amazing competition for this group of talented pilots. Shane Seydel put up an awesome performance and took the Gold. As the meet started, it was clear that no one was going to just walk away with a medal, they were going to have to work for it. As we completed speed, Shane Seydel, Matt Leonard, Nathan Emmet, and Johnny Gunn were leading the pack. Emmet and Leonard struggled in distance putting up a zero in one of those rounds, but it’s not the last we’d see of Leonard in the fight for the podium as he clawed his way back up to second place overall. Gunn looked like he as headed for a podium finished after the first 4 rounds, until the great equalizer zone accuracy arrived and knocked him down after scoring only 6 points in two rounds. Putting all the boys on notice this meet newcomer this season Jessie Brownlow jumped out in front and was sitting in third place after four rounds. She’ll be one to watch for podium finishes in the future. Steady scoring was the path for Rob Harris this meet who took the Bronze medal overall.
Big thanks to Paraclete XP for hosting, they do a great job taking care of us. Awesome facility, caring staff, and quick airplanes, what more could u ask for. To our Judges, buy them a beer when you see them. It was upwards of 97 degrees in the NC heat wave as they stood out in the field to judge.
Season recap coming later this week.