From the outside maybe it looks like is gonna be incredibly easy, but it's so interesting exactly because it required high level of experience and only the bests in the sky. Some of the top free-flyers in the world are here, at Skydive Chicago (USA), to beat the previous record of 108 made in 2009.
Since Wednesday, August 1st, freefly world record attempts are taking place. The goal: to build a fantastic 142-way in 40 seconds.
"Today we made 4 attempts. Everyone flew very good since the beginning. We just encountered some problems with the last trailing plane (the caravan) in two jumps, but the 90-95% of the formation was always building up fast and flying for 10 to 15 seconds! This is awesome considering that we're jumping from 17500 feet (5200mt) and the first breakoff starts at 7000 fts (2100mt). Every flyer is really motivated and tuned up to do his work for the team. We're griping like machines! Bam bam bam...! Organizers has moved some flyers in the formation and gave rotation to someone. Some guy has been unluckly fired due to some flying problem and new ones are taking now part of the team. We really want to make this happen!" (by Andrea Fast S.)
It was looking really good because a figure of 142 was already built on the second day, but it can not be certified as a record for technical reasons for judgment. Attempts obviously continued.
"It has been a long hard day. Everytime we were incredibly close. At the 5th jump of today we all knew we did it, and in fact, we did it! The 142-way formation flew for about 5 seconds. Unfortunately due to a "paper" problem or misunderstanding, 2 or 3 of the last guys were gripping with the opposite hand where they were supposed to grip so... We did it, but has not be convalidated by the judges. Shame. Tomorrow, we gonna make it fly again, longer, easier!"
"Can you image how is exit from a plane with other 5 planes next to it? Dive at a high speed towards the formation, sometimes without have the chance to see where you are exactly going... knowing that if you mess up just a little bit because the color of a suit or a movement of the formation, you have thirty people behind you who are rushing at 270km/hr in that shit... and they could cut you off... Getting there and see a multitude of people, grips not firmed, the rate that continues to change, risks and turbulence everywhere... All in 40 seconds... So, if somebody grip in the wrong way, it simply happens, it's part of the game!" (by Andrea Fast S.)
In the last jumps there was some problems almost in the same area, so the organizers decided to cut off almost an entire pod.
Third day. World record attempt Jump 15. Man this time they closed: a fabulous 138-way. Another great achievement in the skydiving history.
Congratulations to the Turbolenza athletes took part of this event: Fred Fugen, Vince Reffet, Luca Tondelli, Ulisse Idra, Noah Bahnson.
written by
Vania Da Rui
