{"id":45276,"date":"2023-05-16T11:29:36","date_gmt":"2023-05-16T11:29:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=45276"},"modified":"2023-05-16T11:30:12","modified_gmt":"2023-05-16T11:30:12","slug":"sixty-plus-with-attitude","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/sixty-plus-with-attitude\/","title":{"rendered":"Sixty Plus with Attitude"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Photo by Gustavo Cabana<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Come up short on a record quest then live with the disappointment for a year\u2026 The result is a bit of attitude. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

That was the vibe when over one hundred jumpers gathered at Skydive Perris in April 2023 for a go at the record for the largest freefall formation by jumpers sixty and older. [SOS \u2013 Skydivers Over Sixty.] Most of the team had been there the year before with the same goal. Having come just shy of achieving a record on multiple attempts, there was a deep-seated desire to get it done.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warm-up Jumps<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The event would run for four days, but the team\u2019s commitment to success led to the entire 40-way base being on-site a day early for prep jumps. The base team did three practice jumps and had three comfortable completions. A good sign. They were determined to give the balance of the team a solid base to build on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even more non-base jumpers were there in advance to do warm-up jumps. Fully eighty percent of the team arrived early. Commitment and attitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Gustavo Cabana<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Day one<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Day one of the full event was upbeat and cloudy. Zero jumps but some world-class dirt diving. Then waiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day two <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Day two started with low clouds. Argh. By mid-afternoon the skies cleared and the team headed for their five jump planes. After one fall rate calibration jump, the attempts began. The first attempt was short of the plan but promising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day three \u2013 Record!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Day three it got real. The \u201cmake it happen\u201d attitude was pervasive. Two more promising attempts followed by \u2026 bang! A one-point record at 101! Goal achieved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a day and a half left there was more to be done. Next target: a sequential record. With daylight left, the first sequential attempt built well but was not there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Gustavo Cabana<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Last Day \u2013 Sequential Record<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The final day, the \u201cnot-to-be-denied\u201d attitude continued. Two more attempts then \u2026 bang! A two-point sequential record at ninety-five.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Gustavo Cabana<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Leadership Team<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The solid team and capable leadership had much to be proud of. International Skydiving Hall of Fame members Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld and Kate Cooper-Jensen had taken the lead with Larry Henderson, Scott Latinis and Patrick Passe rounding out the impressive leadership team. The cameraflyers were Hall of Fame inductee Gustavo Cabana along with Norman Kent and Craig O\u2019Brien.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Gustavo Cabana<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Summary<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Solid talent blended with solid attitude led to the results all had sought. The frustration of the previous year melted away. Mission accomplished. Attitude rewarded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Gustavo Cabana<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Replay<\/span><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Watch the videos of the record-breaking skydives, by Gustavo Cabana…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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