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101 Seniors Jump from Plane, Break World Record of Air Formation. PHOTOS/Instagram
ILLINOIS – A bunch skydiver consisting of 101 personnel aged over 60 years gathered in California, United States of America (US). These elderly paratroopers wanted to form a formation in the air and break two world records.
“101 jumpers managed to form a snowflake formation on their fourth attempt,” said the Over Sixty Skydivers Group, which organized the attempt at Skydive Perris, as quoted by UPI News.
To do so, they would jump simultaneously from five different planes and meet up in the atmosphere at speeds in excess of 120 mph, where they would join hand and foot in a specific, predetermined order.
They would have less than 60 seconds to complete a snowflake-like figure before flying away from each other to safely open their parachutes. To succeed, each senior paratrooper must be in a designated position in the formation.
It’s a challenging feat to accomplish, especially when you’re over 60 years old. Each attempt will be made from a minimum altitude of 18,000 feet, so high that supplemental oxygen is required.
This year’s group includes not only professional paratroopers but also people from all walks of life (most of whom are now retired): rocket scientists, doctors, fishermen, nurses, venture capitalists, accountants, pilots, teachers, postmen, missionaries , roofers, winemakers and female astronauts.
In total about 670,000 parachutes, an average of 6,400 jumps per person. The first to jump out of an airplane did it in 1962, and the last only fifty years later.
Main event organizer Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld is a legend in the sport, multiple world champion with over 30,000 parachutes and author of “Above All Else.”
“Last year worked perfectly—almost,” said Brodsky-Chenfeld. “Our strategy will be largely the same. It’s all about every participant performing at the top of their game for one minute. And, the same minutes for all 100 of them.”
Located in Riverside County, Skydive Perris is one of the largest skydiving centers in the world, home to several world records and international events. With a fleet of eight aircraft dedicated to skydiving, a prestigious skydiving school, an on-site wind tunnel, restaurant and swimming pool.
(esn)
