Following yesterday’s World Record 2-point 202-way this morning the news is that we are aiming for 3 a point 202-way. The jumps have shown that there is time for a third point.. so we briefed a new sequence, with a different second point from previously, and a third point that was the original second point. The same quick skydivers were involved in the transition. The key for the sequence had also changed. Now Patrick would display the streamer to key the second point, and release it to key the third point, the base guys also nodding to back it up.
In an overwhelming show of support and love, Kate Cooper-Jensen offered to give up her slot so I could get on the load. Apparently others had made the same offer. Amazing, humbling, I even felt a bit teary. Happily this wasn’t necessary, as someone stood himself down because of an injury so – I got my gear on and joined the dirt dive with a happy heart – yay!
#Jump 1
The jump was lovely! Smooth, quiet, the formation was level and flying well. One person went low pretty early on but it says a lot about the quality of the skydivers here that the rest of the formation still built, despite the distraction, which can throw lesser jumpers off their game because they know the chance for a record has gone. Patrick got the streamer out and there was definitely a sequential move happened.
I cannot tell you how excited I was when Patrick called me and wanted to run this event here
Back on terra firma we watched the jump – it was really sweet. Yes one person was out but the other 201 were simply awesome! The sequential to the new second point went like a dream, and looked super pretty. Kudos to everyone on the load for turning up today with full-on focus, it can be easy to lose concentration after such a high as the World Record we have been working on for so long (by ‘long’ I mean for five years not four days!).
#Jump 2
The second skydive was even better than the first. Complete, level, looking great! Patrick started flying the streamer, there was movement in the periphery, and I was willing him to release it for the third point. Instead he shook his head, as they had agreed not to initiate sequential below 8,000 feet.
The video shows a complete 202-way, transitioning with the correct inter to a second point of 202 – equalling the World Record set yesterday – although it doesn’t count as another record since it only equals not exceeds it. [Interestingly, had the two sequential 202-way skydives been on the same day the World Record could have been shared by all those on either jump, for example myself and Larry Henderson, who had also just made the load, could have shared the record status.] Whatever the red tape it made us feel good to also be on a successful 2-point 202-way! Milko commented that the group was doing something never done before: back to back sequential 200-ways, that’s four in a row!
Now we set the bar that high we think it’s no big deal to do consecutive 2-point 200-ways, but it is a big deal – a really big deal!
#Jump 3
This was to be the last jump of the day, with 2 left to do tomorrow. We climbed to altitude with a good feeling. The jump started well, good stadium and approaches, I was docked happily in my slot, willing the jump to work, sending my energy and desire into the universe, hoping for a payback record. I was looking at Patrick to give the key, I see Pooky docked behind him shaking his head, then Patrick shakes his head, I risk a tiny glance out of the corner of my eye to where they are looking at – there’s a party going on in the basement! I see a dozen people down and dirty with those sort of body positions that tell you they have given up hope. [Of course I see this without ever taking my eyes off the base! 😉 ]
The video confirms the full story, people are rushing to their slots, so keen to get to the third point that they never even make it into the first. Oh well. Tomorrow is another day. We have a 2-point World Record in the bag, and two jumps left to potentially make a 3-pointer. Dan BC gave the type of motivational speech that reminds us that there is only one Dan BC. His main point, it would be WRONG to not set another record tomorrow now we have everything in place. Stay tuned…
Raw video from the World Record Sequential 202-way jump
2-point 202-way with a new second point
Video by Andrey Veselov
