 |
|
 |
|
|
| Final Update
(November 29, 2003) |
|
|
-by Jim Walton
On Saturday, the
group arrived to the drop zone amid 40-degree temperatures and
winds gusting to 18 mph.
Dressing as warmly as possible without affecting the
aerodynamics of the formation, the skydivers made two attempts
at a 70-way. Each
attempt nearly completed, with only two or four people out of
formation.
The age-old adage "third time's the charm" held
true. Because of
difficulty with the first 9 jumpers of the formation, jumpers
had to hold back from joining.
But when they did, they did so quickly and smoothly.
The formation grew and grew.
Finally, at 5,000' the word was yelled up from the bottom of the formation:
"COMPLETE!"
Remaining professional, no one celebrated.
Instead, they continued to fly their canopies until the
command came to disperse, "Starburst, Starburst ... Okay ...
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, BREAK!"
The world's first 70-way Canopy Formation Flight flew
over Lake Wales, Florida on Saturday November 29th,
2003. The
formation stood larger than a 747 standing on its tail and
could be seen for miles (and by Air traffic control radar).
The week was complete!
Three successful World Records (64, 65 and 70).
Congratulations to everyone in
the record, those who trained with them, the Drop Zone, the
City of Lake Wales, the organizers and all of the jumpers'
families who supported their efforts.
The World Record stands at 70
! |
|
|
Update #4 (November 28, 2003) |
|
|
-by Jim Walton
November 28th
once again saw the CReW Dawgs up at the wee hours.
The cool climate was accompanied by zero wind on the
ground, and smooth air up to 16,000 feet.
Enjoying ideal conditions, the group practiced their
skydive on the ground (called a "dirt dive").
Though they could barely see one another in the
pre-dawn light, they
rehearsed and rehearsed.
A quick "okay,
circle up" from the formation's "pilot" (the skydiver
at the top of the formation, Chris Gay) quieted everyone.
Chris gave the group some last minute guidance, a quick
cheer and everyone left to put on their gear.
The first
skydive built midway, despite a jumper having a broken line.
But the broken line caused the formation to fly
erratically and the group terminated the attempt.
The group
rallied, repaired the broken line, quickly rehearsed the
skydive, and went up to try again.
Despite the
group's motivation, experience, and desire, the second
formation completed to only 68 of the planned 70 skydivers -
not a legal world record. But it was the first time in history that row 9 wings (the
outermost canopies of the formation, on the ninth row from the
top) docked and flew on any formation.
Aerodynamically, this is a phenomenal accomplishment.
But the group ran out of altitude, and dispersed at
5,000 feet in order to land, even though another ten seconds
could have meant a new World Record.
The group
quickly packed their parachutes, climbed aboard the three
airplanes and took off again.
But they were tired.
Things went awry early in the skydive.
Minor errors, combined with aerodynamic issues caused
the base to build a bit rougher than normal.
As the CReW Dawgs continued to dock, the oscillations
only increased.
When the
unhealthy formation could fly no more, a number of canopies
collapsed, tearing skydivers and canopies from the formation
(this is called a "wrap").
Although many
more jumpers were involved in three separate wraps, the
majority of them were able to untangle themselves and their
parachutes without incident. Five CReW Dawgs had to discard/cutaway their main parachutes
and land under their reserves.
All landed safety and were quickly repacked.
The committee
decided it was time to take a break, and to stand down for the
day. The jumpers were released to relax, practice and be ready for
the final day - Saturday.
The World
Record stands at 65.
|
|
| Update #3
(November 27, 2003) |
|
|
-by Jim Walton
November 27th, Thanksgiving Day, and the
CReW Dawgs (as they call themselves) were up before the sun.
As the sun crested the horizon, three airplanes,
carrying 70 jumpers and four cameramen took off.
The lead plane, climbing to 15,500 feet, carried the
first 25 jumpers, referred to as "The Base."
This group is responsible for building their formation
very quickly, to allow the follow on jumpers a target in the
sky on which to dock.
The second planes, each carrying half of the remaining
jumpers, climbed to 13,500 feet, expecting to fly on each side
of the 25-way base. Those jumpers exiting these planes flew by the building
formation, exiting only a quarter mile in front.
But the base was experiencing some minor turbulence and
minor engineering problems, which resulted in a portion of the
right side collapsing.
The result was two entangled canopies and jumpers.
Pasi Pirttikoski (Finland) had to cutaway his main
parachute. He
safely deployed his reserve parachute, landing without further
incident. Raul
Ramirez (U.S.A.) suffered a broken/sprained ankle.
The second 70-way went up two hours later, after
rearranging a few people and canopies.
Pasi repacked his reserve parachute and was raring to
go. Raul,
however, went to the hospital.
The re-engineered formation flew very well, but only
built to 61 (of the 70) before the group terminated the
attempt, and separated for landing.
The committee decided that after four days of intensive
skydiving and three official World records, the group needed a
bit of a break. The
group decided for themselves whether to rest, make some fun
skydives or run to Disney World.
They'll be back at it Friday morning, before the sun
rises.
Happy Thanksgiving!
The World
Record stands at 65.
|
|
| Update #2
(November 26, 2003): |
|
|
-by Jim Walton
November 26th, 2003 saw the CRW World Record broken,
once again, at Florida Skydiving Center in Lake Wales,
Florida. Canopy
formation fliers from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada,
Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Spain Sweden and the U.S.
successfully completed a sunset 65-way kite (which is similar
to the diamond-formation, but with an additional person at the
bottom).
The day's two previous 65-way attempts resulted in
complications, but no injuries.
Though the record attempts were originally not planned
to begin until Thursday, yesterday's World Records motivated
these skydivers to improve on their performance, skills and
accomplishment. They
remain motivated and committed to raising their goal.
Until this year, a 64-person formation seemed
impossible, but this group continues to establish and shatter
the standard. They
are one step closer to the next level - 81.
The World
Record stands at 65. |
|
| Update #1
(November 25, 2003): |
|
|
-by Jim Walton
November 25th, 2003 saw the CRW World Record shattered
at Florida Skydiving Center in Lake Wales, Florida.
The previous record of 53 is now a distant memory as
the US-led coalition of canopy formation fliers executed two
flawless 64-person skydives.
A third record completed, but was found to have an
incorrect grip.
A fourth 64-way had to be stopped well above the hard
deck of 5,500' due to turbulence and excessive clouds.
Though the record attempts were not planned to begin
until Thursday, the group came together so well, and smaller
attempts proved so successful (49-ways flying for 2-3 minutes
consistently), the committee decided it was time to break the
World Record.
The plan was to complete a 64-way, then rotate every
jumper through successive 64-ways the same day, in order to
allow everyone at the event to receive an official World
Record. This FAI
rule, according to the judges, allows more than one team to
claim an official World Record, if the teams accomplish the
same feat on the same day. Though three more teams went to accomplish this, only one had
the weather and legal grips to claim a successive World
Record.
The current plan is to begin Wednesday with a 65-way
kite, and allow every group to complete the skydive.
Depending on its success, larger formations can be
expected.
Is 81 out of the question this year?
Time will tell.
The World Record stands at 64. |
|
|
|
