The World Wingsuit League is an annual contest to decide the fastest-flying human on the planet. Only the best in the world are invited. The pilots jump from a platform and race around a ‘course’, defined by a start, finish and certain turning point(s), measured electronically. The pilot with the fastest run wins. The race was to be held at Tianmen Mountain, the site of Jeb Corliss’ famous fly-through, and the venue for the 2012 World Wingsuit League Race. Competitor Tony Uragallo recounts…
What a way to go out
Last year I had the honor of being invited to the World Wingsuit League’s competition in China. Situated at the Tianman Mountain in the Hu Nan province it is a truly stunning spot. I was glad it was back there this year. Even the walk out to the exit is fun.
James Boole follows Tony Uragallo down the World Wingsuit League course in Tianmen Mountain, China
New Course
So all 8 of last year’s finalists were invited back this year, the second 8 had to do a qualifying competition to get an invite. Last year we had one turn, this year we have a new course, with 3 turns, then the same finish under the cable car as last year – the biggest, longest cable car ride in the world, 45 min, a touch scary in itself – and then to land on a thin bridge, a jump not for the faint of heart. So we have lots of days to practice the new course, and Ellen Brennen steps up to go first, ha, her first time here too. She does real good, turn left, good turn right through the gully turn left onto the same finish as last year. Real high and safe just like Jeb [Corliss] berated us with in the brief, “do not fly the course at 100%, learn the course then slowly go faster” we heard over and over, anyone doing scary runs will be disqualified. So next went Ludo then Noah then Vick…
Viktor
On the second turn Vick went into the mountain, Ohhhhh! I thought I heard a canopy open, I’m looking for one asking where it was, “He hit the mountain” ooohhh that was the sound of trees breaking” Ohhhh, so we all go back to the hotel to talk, we think it over. It took 2 days and 200 people to get Vick outa there, super hard terrain, every 5th tree is covered in thorns. We talk, “Who would do this course if we reopen?” Half the people raise their hands. Over the next two days this number grows till just James an’ I don’t want to do it, on a fun jump maybe but in competition, people going for it we think it’s too dangerous, we’ve lost 3 of the practice days and worry there’ll be a second accident.
Semi-Final
Jeb is the one who says “Let’s do last year’s course.” After much debate we all agree. The next day we’re back on the mountain and over the next two days we get we get 6 practice jumps in, the ‘vibe’ is back. Saturday is the first round and only the top 8 will go through to Sunday’s final, it’s televised live in China and the USA. Those in the know also watched the action live via web streaming across the globe.
To do this jump is very exciting. To do it in a wingsuit, in competition adds a level of excitement that is unparalleled in my life to date. After a fabulous first day competing I sneak into 8th place so I’m doing the last day! 🙂
Author Tony Uragallo’s run down the WWL route in China
Semi-Final Results
- James Boole GBR (Tony Suit) 23.56
- Espen Fadnes NOR (Phoenix Fly) 23.58
- Vincent Descols FRA (Squirrel) 23.60
- Noah Bahnson USA (Tony Suit) 23.68
- Jhonathan Florez COL (Tony Suit) 23.94
- Jon Devore USA (Tony Suit) 24.01
- Julian Boulle RSA (Tony Suit) 24.05
- Tony Uragallo GBR (Tony Suit) 24.25
First 8 are Final Qualifiers - Fred Fugen FRA (Fly Your Body) 24.58
- Ludovic Woerth FRA (Phoenix Fly) 24.85
- Mike Swanson USA (Tony Suit) 25.09
- Jeff Nebelkopf USA (Human Flight) 25.30
- Daniel Grant Vicary NZL (Squirrel) 25.39
- Ellen Brennan USA (Squirrel) 26.30
Incredible – less a second between first and 8th!
I’m happy, it’s all I can hope for, these guys are hot.
Trying a new suit in BASE jumping enviroment is not a good idea, people should skydive the suits first before taking them off a cliff. The only reason I did, is because I have thousands of jumps in Apaches.
The Final
For the competition, Jhonathan changed suits, he puts on what I think is a small suit, an Apache Scorpion, he says it’s faster on the GPS. He feels good, so… this man who had the slower times in practice, in qualifying and the first round of finals turns it on for the last jump and smokes everyone to win!!!
WWL 2013 – Jhonathan Florez – Victory Run
Prizegiving
Ha ha, he is stoked, we go straight to prize-giving, very auspicious with lots of flowers, big medals music and fireworks. As usual there’s tons of cameras, all just great, we then go to a banquet, and after that to the funnest night ever at a karaoke room all to ourselves, a stunning moment when we realize just how wonderful many of the team’s voices are! (Maybe it was the 5 tables covered in food an’ booze that made ’em sound so good?) Well done Iiro, Frank and Jeb for organizing such a fine event.
World Wingsuit League Results
- Jhonathan Florez COL (Tony Suit) 23.40
- Noah Bahnson USA (Tony Suit) 23.60
- Vincent Descols FRA (Squirrel) 23.74
- James Boole GBR (Tony Suit) 23.75
- Julian BoulleRSA (Tony Suit) 23.85
- Espen Fadnes NOR (Phoenix Fly) 24.00
- Jon Devore USA (Tony Suit) 24.09
- Tony Uragallo GBR (Tony Suit) 24.52
Goodbye Cruel World
So, at this time I’d like to retire on a high note from Base jumping, it’s all very scary and I’m not sure if I’m cut out for it. Some of the climbs are awfully hard and to see your friends die at such an alarming rate is horrendous. We’ll see if I can manage that proclamation.
Tony Uragallo
Did you know?…
…that Tony is twice the age in years of winner Jhonathan but only a second slower
For more info, see: WorldWingsuitLeague
Viktor Kovats
We are still devastated after the loss of Viktor. His positive energy touched thousands of lives around the world. After the tragedy struck, all WWL athletes got together and returned to the mountain to say our goodbyes to Viktor. We painted our nails orange (as he had done) and showered the mountain with orange flowers, for his favorite color. All jumpers got together in unison to continue the Grand Prix for Vick’s honor. We all believe that it is what he would have wanted us to. We all miss you and love you, Vick Fearless!
