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Lake Wales, Fla. – February 10, 2005 – Descending at 1,000 feet per minute, 81 skydivers got into formation with precision movements on November 24th in an attempt to make history.
Having completed practice jumps and training exercises for a week, the team of 81 skydivers succeeded in setting a world record in the category of Canopy Formation. The shape was set in 9 minutes and 12 seconds, from the time the last person exited the jump plane until the last connection was made.
The following day, joined by four more jumpers, the group topped their own record with an 85-person formation. The previous Canopy Formation record had been with 70 people and was set in 2003.
The skydivers jumped from two CASA 212’s and two deHavilland DHC-6 Twin Otters from an altitudes as high as 24,000 feet. Three engineers from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, who know just how much technique goes into the sport, were members of the team. In order to form the diamond shape, jumpers had to come into docking position, hold onto the parachute of a jumper already in the formation and then wrap a parachute line around their foot.
Planned by a group called CF World Record 2005, it took the 85-person team 9 minutes and 46 seconds to get into their diamond-shaped formation. They then held their places for 17 seconds. As the last member got into place, he yelled “Complete” into his radio, starting the clock to officially record the length of time they held their formation.
After 26 seconds, the words “starburst, starburst” were heard over the radio and the team knew they had accomplished their goal. They then broke formation and descended to the ground where they excitedly congratulated each other and celebrated their record.
The team now has its sights set on beating their record in 2007 with a 100-jumper Canopy Formation.
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Skydivers set a world record on November 24th with 81 participants in Canopy Formation.
On November 25th, attempting to break their own world record from the previous day, the team is joined by four more jumpers, again making history.
For More Information
Canopy Formation World Record
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