World Freefall Formation Record

[Ugly Bastard]

I realize most of you don't care, but I think it's pretty damn cool. A new record was set for the largest freefall formation in the world. 357 people came together to build this formation. I've met a few of the people who were a part of this record, trust me, this shit is MUCH harder than you may think. The old record was exactly 300, set in 2002 in Arizona.

BANGKOK (AFP) - A team of 357 skydivers from 42 countries have broken the world freefall formation record in Thailand's northeastern Nakhon Sawan province, the team's spokeswoman said.




After seven attempts over three days of rehearsals during which the team endured both bad weather and mechanical problems with planes, the skydivers jumped from four C-130 Hercules Friday and managed to link up.

"Once they exited from four Hercules flying in formation at 24,000 feet, they managed to all connect and stay connected for six seconds while freefalling," spokeswoman Karina Willerup told AFP.

The previous official world record was a formation of 300 skydivers formed in the US's Phoenix, Arizona in December 2002, she said.

"It was ecstatic, it was energy you wouldn't believe," Willerup said of the mood after the record was smashed.

"These 450 people have come to Thailand to make this one goal, and after weather holds and some cancellations from the Air Force... It was their last chance yesterday, and they did it."

A panel of four judges from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale officially verified the record, she added.

Also during their trip to Thailand, the team along with 250 members of Thailand's royal armed forces broke the world mass freefall skydiving record on January 24 in Bangkok, with a total of 672 skydivers completing the dive.

The records were broken to mark the sixth 12-year cycle, or 72nd birthday, of Thailand's Queen Sirikit.

More info on the group's website, found here.

-Ugly Bastard

[ February 08, 2004, 01:40 PM: Message edited by: Ugly Bastard ]

[Trout Sniffer]

That's sweet. How much does it cost to learn how to skydive? Like for lessons and renting the shit and all that stuff.

[AcTivE]

I believe it is $175...maybe $150, I'm not sure. Jumps after that are like $50

[BigDongedHoe]

http://www.indianaskydivingacademy.com/Prices.htm

I believe that will answer all of your questions.

If you would like to go up with UB and I this summer and make a jump let me know, we've been trying to get other people/nubblites to get hooked on Skydiving.

[BrassMonkees]

That would be pretty cool do have a nubblies sky-diving day. I for one am seriously interested in jumping come summertime

[Pliedes]

Originally posted by BrassMonkees:
That would be pretty cool do have a nubblies sky-diving day.

Fucking awesome idea. Is there any way we could get a group discount or something? I've always wanted to do this, and having a bunch of friends there would make it even cooler.

[Ugly Bastard]

Originally posted by Pliedes:
Is there any way we could get a group discount or something?

Maybe, but the discounts are so negligible they're basically worthless. That doesn't mean that the idea for a Nubblies Skydiving Day isn't made of solid gold.

Perhaps come spring time, something like this could be organized.

-Ugly Bastard

[ February 09, 2004, 12:41 AM: Message edited by: Ugly Bastard ]

[Pliedes]

If my finances allow, count me down as a tentative 'yes'.

[Ugly Bastard]

Here is some video footage of the jump. Very cool stuff. Highly recommended.

(Saving it to your computer might be easier)

http://www.theworldteam.com/news/video/0206/0206.mov

-Ugly Bastard