The third day began with some reorganizing of the sectors. The sectors that had been doing 132-ways on the full base downsized to 90-ways off a mini base and yesterday’s 90-ways were able to practice on the full base as a 132-way. Yesterday the 90-ways completed a first point and today, the 90-ways also completed the first point.
Completion seemed to elude both 132-way groups primarily because of problems in the base. There were some personnel changes and towards the end of day the base was starting to settle down. Unfortunately jumps were cut short by 30-knot winds that came up around 1600 as the Alpha Team was making its third jump.
222 Dirtdive
The World Team organizers used this extra hour to dirt dive the 222-way and lay it down on the grass in the main landing area, as there were no jumpers landing due to the winds. The team spent a good hour working on the angles between skydivers, mock exits from the 10 airplanes and practicing the approach to the base.
Tomorrow… hopefully first 222!
The base will get one more practice jumps in the morning with the complete Alpha team docking. Depending on how well the base performs, the first 222-way attempts will follow.
Daily Captain’s Report
Patrick Passe, Sector 3
What are your feelings at the end of Day 3 of this event?
“I think we are on a good schedule. Day 3 is done and all sectors have made and completed the sequential in the training dives with only 2 or 3 people missing. That’s very good! Better than last year. And these were the first training jumps so the feeling is good.”
What will you miss most from the World Team?
“The human adventure. The WT events have not only been about skydiving but also about meeting people from all around the World and achieving success together. WT was the best team there was for the last 20 years with some incredible successes achieved.”
Do you think WT will get this new World Record?
“Yes! But it’s important to understand how very difficult this challenge is. A 222-way formation is difficult in itself, to get the 2nd point so much more… Last year we were close to the goal. We will have to work very hard for the next following days, but I know we will do it!”
Previous article, 222-way Sequential Day 2
Previous article, 222-way Sequential Day 1
First article, warm-up: Fly it Forward
