Skydivers claim new world record

Post by **lee** » February 9, 2006, 9:37 am

Skydivers claim new world record (BBC NEWS)

An international team of skydivers says it has set a new world record for the largest connected free-fall formation.

World Team 2006 said all of its 400 jumpers, from 31 countries, had held hands for several seconds during a jump in north-eastern Thailand.

It said the record had been certified by judges from the Switzerland-based Federation Aeronautique Internationale.

The previous record of a 357-member formation was also set by World Team skydivers - in 2004.

Earlier failures

"What an amazing jump it was, 400 people in one formation! It was beautiful!" World Team 2006 organiser and record jump participant BJ Worth said.

"When we landed we all felt that everything had come together and we had the record. The team has been working hard to make this happen," Mr Worth said.

The divers managed to clinch hands in the skies over Udon Thani, drifting down in a circular formation for nearly five seconds, the team said.

They then broke off at 7,500 feet (2,286m) and flew away so that they could safely deploy their parachutes.

The group had failed to completely link up for a measurable amount of time in two earlier jumps on Wednesday.

World Team 2006 is an informal association that includes current and former world champion skydivers.

The record jump was part of festivities honouring the 60th anniversary of the reign of Thailand's an individual Adulyadej.

Watch the skydive here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4693912.stm

Post by **banpaeng** » February 9, 2006, 9:27 pm

They just showed this jump on the Today show. It is quite impressive but I must admit that when they broke apart was just as interesting. Then it is a picture of total chaos as they seperate.

Very impressive site for these eyes.

Post by **BangkokButcher** » February 10, 2006, 4:43 am

Yep just seen some of the footage here in the UK, looked very impressive indeed.

Now whats all this about them doing a 960 person jump on BKK airport??

Post by **Paul** » February 10, 2006, 8:39 pm

Its not a formation this time - they would never have the time to get that done - but is a mass parachute jump. The number 960 has some significance - 60 is the number of years an individual has been on the throne (I think) and 9 is for Rama 9th (again I think)
Perhaps someone can correct me if I am wrong ?

Paul

Post by **JimboPSM** » May 27, 2006, 10:19 pm

Some very sad news today.

Tamsin Causer, who became the first person ever to hold four world parachuting records at once when she was among 960 people involved in mass free fall in Thailand, has been killed in a "freak accident" after colliding with another jumper at an event in Spain.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/berk ... 023108.stm