{"id":56257,"date":"2024-10-15T14:36:36","date_gmt":"2024-10-15T14:36:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=56257"},"modified":"2024-10-16T09:40:05","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T09:40:05","slug":"womens-world-record-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/womens-world-record-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Women\u2019s World Record 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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The story of a dedicated team of badass ladies with their eyes on a big prize… a full break sequential record\u2026<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Perris Valley Skydiving, the venue for the last four Women\u2019s World Records, again played host to an amazing group of women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People<\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The event was the brainchild of Helaine Rumaner, a multiple world record holder, whose goals were to run a safe event, set a new world record, include many newer jumpers, and inspire the wider public with positive PR for our sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2705 A good job well done, all goals achieved, and this is how it happened\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The group of aspiring record-breakers, who received beautifully designed event T-shirt, backpack, stickers, notebook, commemorative coin and more goodies \u2013 thanks to Helaine Rumaner for organizing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Helaine recruited the legendary Kate Cooper-Jensen to lead the base aircraft and the formation. Initially the plan was a 60-way out of three airplanes. However, there were so many highly qualified ladies applied the number grew to 72, taking over four aircraft \u2013 two Skyvans and two Twin Otters. The much-loved veteran skydivers Christy Frikken and Cathy Coon were recruited as plane captains, and me, Lesley Gale, as an external coach as I\u2019m not jump-fit right now. I welcomed the chance to help this group make history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Two Skyvans and two Twin Otters were expertly flown in formation \u2013 photo by Dennis Sattler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The one and only Kevin Kierce ran a \u2018Top Flite\u2019 event, alongside the record, jumping with a group of 50-55 skydivers on a 3-aircraft load. They were mostly his regular group of stellar jumpers but he also took some \u2018spare\u2019 ladies who didn\u2019t quite qualify for the women\u2019s world record but were definitely there in the hope of lurking a slot! It was perfect that they joined Kevin\u2019s group as that gave them multi aircraft and big-way experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cameraflyers for the load seemed to be jinxed. It was intended to be Karen Lewis and Craig O\u2019Brien \u2013 but Karen\u2019s Mum and O\u2019B both fell sick. Bruno Brokken tried to come to the rescue \u2013 but arrived at Barcelona airport with his wife Gaby\u2019s passport! Thus missing his flight, though he arrived partway through and filmed the record jumps. Trunk (Mark Kirschenbaum of Hypoxic fame) came to the rescue, arriving on the first day to help out before going to Chicks Rock at Elsinore, with Carl Schwenk, Daniel Angulo and Kristian Caulder also doing a great job as cameraflyers throughout the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Inside the lead Skyvan \u2013 photo by Mark ‘Trunk’ Kirschenbaum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Full Break Sequential<\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The plan, expertly crafted by Helaine, was a Full Break Sequential Record, where participants build multiple points, with everyone on the load dropping grips between each point (hence \u2018full break\u2019). To qualify for a sequential record, the formation must be at least one quarter of the single point record \u2013 the same rules apply whether the goal is a world, national or state record. The current single point Women\u2019s World Record is a 181-way, also built at Skydive Perris, in 2009. So, the sequential record would have to be 46 or larger \u2013 but 72 seemed like a lot more fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Exiting the chunk and starting the build \u2013 photo by Xiancam\/Kristian Caulder<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Day 1, Thursday 3 October \u2013 Preparation<\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We met in glorious sunshine with a forecast of the same blue skies till the end of the event \u2013 happy days! Our only problem was going to be the heat, and while temperatures in 3 digits were challenging, we were not inclined to moan, anything as long as we were airborne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We made four jumps the first day, all from 16,500 feet, gradually improving the exit, the stadium, shuffling a few people and working out the jigsaw puzzle to get people in slots suited to their fall rate and ability. We achieved the goals of the day, which were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • To work out a good fall rate for the group<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Get familiar with the exit signals and refine the timing from multiple aircraft<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Every person adjusting their tools to be in the middle of their fall rate range<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Positive safety culture with high awareness<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Teamwork \u2013 getting to know the load in the aircraft, the sector of the formation, the tracking groups and feeling that we were one big team working towards a common goal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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    First day building and approaches \u2013 photo by Mark ‘Trunk’ Kirschenbaum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Day 2, Friday \u2013 Record Attempts<\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Having done such thorough prep the day before, the team was ready to skydive with just a short briefing. The group met at 7:30 am and took off at 8am. Because of a thin layer of cloud at about 15,000 feet, they circled for 45 minutes at 16,500 feet to try to find a clear skies. In the end they ran in at 14,500 feet. I was watching from the ground, quite anticipating a clusterfeck after so long at altitude, with the added mental challenge of cloudy wesather. The skydive was just beautiful. Stunning. Way the calmest skydive so far. Everyone coming smoothly in on their radials, with near perfect docks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The second jump wasn\u2019t so great. \u2018Let\u2019s move on\u2019, we said\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The third jump was oh so close to a record\u2026 or maybe even could have been a record, as all the grips were taken but the first person to track off left at virtually the same time as the last dock. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It wasn\u2019t convincing enough to be confident and it would take the judges a good while to watch the video and give us a decision. So, we went straight back up with a repeat jump. Close but no cigar. An unintentional rodeo took two people a looooong way down. We landed to the news from onsite judges Judy Celaya and Mary Traub that, although the previous jump had all the grips complete and in frame for a fraction of a microsecond, it was not sufficiently in control with hands stationary on the grips. I was secretly relieved; it feels far better to file a record with a great jump than with one which was questionable. Still, this skydive demonstrated we had the potential, as we were a \u2018gnat\u2019s cock\u2019 away from success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    The Path of Excellence presentation in Skydive Chicago to JFTC participants (above photo by the International Skydiving Museum) was followed by a mini presentation at Skydive Perris <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Path of Excellence \u2013 JFTC<\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    The fifth and final jump of the day had 69 ladies on and was again not far off. The group went to the Perris Bombshelter Bar for tacos, wine and a presentation by Jim McCormick from the Skydiving Museum and Hall of Fame. The Museum had specially-made commemorative coins for those ladies who had been on previous women\u2019s world records as part of the Jump for the Cause organization, which was honored with the Path of Excellence award. Some ladies had just come from the Hall of Fame awards at Skydive Chicago, but those who couldn\u2019t make it were recognized at Perris, which was a lovely touch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Jump for the Cause had set women\u2019s world records at four separate events, in 1999, 2002, 2005 and 2009 \u2013 and raised over a million dollars for cancer charities. I found it astonishing that 14 years later so many ladies were still at the top of their game they were invited on the current record, making up roughly a third of the load. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Could we repeat this success? While the presentation was going on, the organizing team, including Dan BC and Kevin Kierce, met and made a plan for the next day. We made the hard decision to downsize to aim to get a record, with the ultimate goal of then adding back those who had been removed and extra ladies from Kevin\u2019s group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Getting closer! \u2013 photo by Mark ‘Trunk’ Kirschenbaum <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Day 3 \u2013 Saturday <\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    This was a day of frustration, where every jump was just a whisker away from a world record. The first jump in the morning usually brings a sense of calm, with a feeling of a new start. The 66-way attempt was looking beautiful until a hard dock took someone out. The group still built the second point with those present, especially impressive as the 8-way base was incomplete but the whole formation still built around an open 7-way base. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A quick swap of personnel from one position to another and the group went up for jump 2\u2026 almost perfect but an individual mistake robbed us of success. We took that person off the attempts and went up again. It was \u2018showtime\u2019 and there was no room for error. At a certain point a group has to commit and only go smaller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Jump 3, a 2-point 65-way attempt was way the best skydive yet \u2013 but still with one person out on the first point. The second point built beautifully with 64 in formation, and was held for 6 seconds. By now the sequential move was dialled in. We had the time, we had the talent. Everyone had docked multiple times and built the second point \u2013 we all just needed to do it together, as Helaine reminded everyone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Base and organizer Kate Cooper-Jensen \u2013 photo by Mark ‘Trunk’ Kirschenbaum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Every jump I felt that this was going to be The One. Very focussed dirtdives, electricity in the air walking out to the planes, goosebumps\u2026 but it seemed each jump had a teensy-weensy problem that snatched the record from us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Jump 4 \u2013 now down to 64 \u2026 the jump was smooth, calm, a very quiet build. The first point was held for almost 3 seconds \u2013 just to be sure. Kate, running the centre, was well aware of the altitude, we had no third point planned, so she took an extra beat. It\u2019s virtually impossible to check every grip from the centre, you just have to check what you can see and go with a feeling that any movement has stopped. The transition to the second point was smooth, clean, and they held the formation for 5 seconds. Everyone felt the magic. The screaming started in freefall, continued in the tracking teams, and went crazy under canopy. Everyone felt the vibe. While we knew the reality was that the judges have to check every grip on both points, and clear separation, it was a fantastic skydive. It had that magical, slow motion feeling of perfect calm, flying beautifully flat with no tension. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    World Record?<\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    The two on site judges Judy and Mary were checking the skydive and had sufficient confidence to forward the videos to the remote judge, Rina Gallo. While we were debriefing this gorgeous jump, Judy and Mary came into the room \u2026 the high-pitched chattering of these excited women instantly hushed to an expectant quiet\u2026 was it or wasn\u2019t it a new World Record ?…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Women’s world record 64-way \u2013 point 1 by Bruno Brokken<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Separation \u2013 which judge July Celaya said was ‘better than most 4-way’ \u2013 photo by Bruno Brokken<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Point 2 \u2013 photo by Bruno Brokken<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Success<\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    There are many ways of breaking such news\u2026 This time Judy simply said \u201cY\u2019all owe beer!\u201d<\/em> The room exploded, erupting with screaming, cheering, hugging, huge smiles, incredible excitement and relief. 64 women hugged each other, the judges, cameraflyers and anyone else in the vicinity. When we finally left the team room, we found the Top Flite group had a surprise for us\u2026 they were waiting with a victory \u2018tunnel\u2019 for us all to walk through, getting hi-fives, kisses and congratulations all the way through. I liked it so much I made a second pass! \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Breakoff gave excellent separation every jump \u2013 photo by Bruno Brokken<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    To the Pool! <\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    The facilities at Skydive Perris include a lovely pool area, which was suddenly very full of elated ladies jumping in the water, throwing the organizers in, dancing, clapping and general happy shenanigans. Queen\u2019s \u201dWe are the Champions\u201d <\/em>was played on the speakers, with everyone singing along at the top of our voices. The release of so much tension after many days of concentrating in temperatures of 100+, plus the high of the world record gave a huge boost of adrenalin and excitement. For almost half the load this was their first World Record, always the best feeling of jubilation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Celebrating success \u2013 photo by Bruno Brokken<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Celebration Video<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n