{"id":32686,"date":"2021-03-17T16:16:32","date_gmt":"2021-03-17T16:16:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=32686"},"modified":"2021-03-17T16:40:38","modified_gmt":"2021-03-17T16:40:38","slug":"game-of-air","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/game-of-air\/","title":{"rendered":"GAME of Air"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Maja and Luke perform a spectacular version of the classic SKATE game format
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Maja Kuczy\u0144ska and \u0141ukasz Czepiela’s Game of AIR<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Polish indoor skydiving star Maja Kuczy\u0144ska and race pilot \u0141ukasz Czepiela put their own unique spin on a skateboarding classic <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Maja, who jumped from a Pilatus PC-6, and Lucasz, who was flying right next to her in his Extra 300 plane, simultaneously performed aerobatic manoeuvres in a bid to out-do each other<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The competition format was based on the rules of Game of SKATE, where the participants set tricks to complete for each other. Each mistake results in gaining one letter from the word SKATE. The first one to get all the letters loses. Maja and Luke created their own version called Game of AIR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The idea for this world-first competition occurred to the athletes last year: \u201cWhen I was thinking about what I could do mid-air to resemble a plane flight, I came up with frontflips, backflips and similar figures. Luke immediately thought of flatspins. And when we met, we were only talking about how to do it and whether it would really work out,\u201d Maja recalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Game of AIR took place in Bovec, Slovenia, where skydiving conditions were perfect. The mountain landscape created an amazing backdrop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From a sporting point of view, it was a great challenge for the athletes: \u201c The most difficult part was flying around Maja,\u201d says Luke. \u201cMy plane was flying almost vertically down. I was in a very deep spiral. Considering the increasing G-force, it was really hard physical work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A skilled team was needed behind the scenes. The helicopter was piloted by Siegfried Schwarz, who also flew the helicopter used for filming during the Red Bull Air Race events. Marco Waltenspiel, who jumped with Maja, provided incredible shots and lovely video. The ground photos were taken by Slovenian photographer Samo Vidic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This project was a dream come true<\/p>\u0141ukasz Czepiela<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Who wins? <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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