{"id":45513,"date":"2023-06-06T11:01:48","date_gmt":"2023-06-06T11:01:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=45513"},"modified":"2023-06-08T11:22:27","modified_gmt":"2023-06-08T11:22:27","slug":"arizona-challenge-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/arizona-challenge-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00adArizona Challenge 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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It was a real pleasure to see all the friends of the Challenge again, and to make some great skydives together<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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We arrived one day before the event to be ready on May 27 at 6:45 am. (by the way, I noticed that there is now a train from Phoenix airport to car rental, very practical! They are always improving things in that destination. \ud83d\ude03<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To begin was a welcome for the participants by Airspeed, who explained the plan for the following four days. The jumpers were divided into groups to start the jumps, the first and second days being 20-ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The 20-ways were from 3 planes
Image by Mark ‘Trunk’ Kirschenbaum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Something new and interesting was that we all went up at the same time; 60 people divided into three planes, with a single jump run, and each group of 20 leaving from three planes. So, even in the small jumps we always had interesting views and varied exits, since every jump we changed aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each Airspeed coach has a very different personality that brings you something interesting. Niklas, Mikhail, Joey and Chris generated quality jumps and challenges. It showed that they prepared everything with great enthusiasm and dedication. The quality time they devoted to this event is very much appreciated by the participants, it\u2019s for pure pleasure!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The third and fourth days were 62-ways, where the formations came out really well in just one or two attempts. The team in general was very well selected and there was talent for whatever challenges were presented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The principal formation was the Sword of Ottley, in honor of the current world champions [Arizona Airspeed]. After several years of the Sword being in the hands of Belgium, it was returned to the United States, thanks to a great job from Airspeed in the last world competitions, bravo guys!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tony Peralta’s memorial send-off<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Before going up for this jump, and it being Memorial Day, we had a brief and emotional tribute by Amy Chmelecki flying the USA flag and Tony Peralta performing with his trumpet in honor of those who died in the line of duty. After this, we boarded for the big jump!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Sword of Ottley
Image by Mark ‘Trunk’ Kirschenbaum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Things I liked the most:<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The coaches did not allow themselves to be complacent or soft with their friends, always pushing the participants to give more, thus respecting everyone’s effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n