{"id":58850,"date":"2025-04-08T10:10:10","date_gmt":"2025-04-08T10:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=58850"},"modified":"2025-04-08T10:17:03","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T10:17:03","slug":"sebastian-alvarez-world-records","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/sebastian-alvarez-world-records\/","title":{"rendered":"Breaking Boundaries with Sebastian Alvarez"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sebastian Alvarez, a Chilean Red Bull athlete, broke three wingsuit world records, in one single jump. We caught up with this former Air Force pilot to hear more about what was involved in the making of this groundbreaking performance…<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Sebastian Alvarez had a clear view on his mission
Photo by Joerg Mitter\/Red Bull Content Pool<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Here’s the scoop on the three world records Sebastian broke in this monumental flight:

Time:<\/strong>\u00a0Alvarez’s flight ( 11m 1s), was exactly 1.30s longer than the previous official FAI record of 9m 31s. Maintaining that body position took hardcore physical training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speed:<\/strong>\u00a0Alvarez reached 550kph (342mph) – faster than a Formula 1 car! He was able to harness the Earth’s jet streams to optimize his speed. The previous Guinness world record stood at 397kph (247mph).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Distance:<\/strong> He travelled over 53.45km (33.22 miles) \u2013 almost double the distance of the previous official FAI record of 29.06km. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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An exhausted but happy Sebastian Alvarez
Photo by Joerg Mitter\/Red Bull Content Pool<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Where did the idea for this project come from?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The idea for this project came to me a long time ago \u2014 probably about six years back. I knew it would be something incredibly challenging and amazing. But it wasn\u2019t until almost two years ago, after my \u201cSkydive into a Wave\u201d project, that we really started working full-on to develop the Starman mission.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the beginning, the goal was clear: break as many records as possible in a single jump.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There’s a high level of preparation that is key for a mission such as this
Photo by Joerg Mitter\/Red Bull Content Pool<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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What kind of planning and preparation went into pulling this off?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve spent years planning every detail and preparing thoroughly. One of the most critical aspects was always the oxygen system \u2014 making sure it would work perfectly at extreme altitudes. That also meant putting together the right oxygen team and securing an aircraft that could handle a high-altitude O\u2082 system.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once that was locked in, we focused on finding the ideal wingsuit for the mission \u2014 we went with the Squirrel C-Race Worlds for this jump. Thermal protection was key too: I wore electric heated layers to keep my body and hands warm. At altitude, temperatures dropped to -70\u00b0C.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The helmet was customized as well \u2014 we covered the mask to protect the exhale valve from freezing due to condensation and the extreme cold.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And of course, there was the training. Last year was entirely dedicated to building the right muscles and flight performance to maintain the most efficient body position, which would help me stay in the air longer and faster. The final month before the jump, I focused on cutting weight to increase my flight time.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lesser known is the diet, exercise and logistics dialed in ahead of time
Photo by Joerg Mitter\/Red Bull Content Pool<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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How did you choose your exit point and landing area? What factors were most critical in making those decisions?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The exit point was actually an easy choice \u2014 about 7 to 10 miles west of the drop zone, since I was flying east with the jet stream that was active that day.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The landing area, on the other hand, was more unpredictable. We had a solid idea of where I might land based on calculations, but with a flight this long, there are always variables, I could never be 100% certain of the exact spot. The helicopter and ground crew were staged near the expected area, but I ended up flying a bit further than planned.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, the region was filled with open fields. Around 10,000 feet, I began scanning the ground, adjusting based on my glide performance, and picking the safest place to land.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Locked in
Photo by Joerg Mitter\/Red Bull Content Pool<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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What kind of equipment did you use to stay in flight so long?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We used the best all-around wingsuits from Squirrel, customized with boot fairings to reduce drag and extended wings to increase glide performance. These modifications helped maximize flight time and distance \u2014 but they also made the suit significantly harder to fly.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The added surface area and aerodynamic features made it much more physically demanding, requiring serious strength, endurance, and control throughout the entire flight<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was it like flying in the jet stream? Did you experience turbulence, burbles, or unique wind at that altitude?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It was absolutely incredible. You feel the extra push almost instantly. My FlySight was giving me speed numbers I had never seen before.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, I definitely experienced turbulence \u2014 you can feel the shifts in wind layers as you pass through them. It\u2019s intense and surreal at the same time.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Exit point
Photo by Joerg Mitter\/Red Bull Content Pool<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Were there any moments where the mission almost didn\u2019t happen?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Not really, but of course, there were moments full of doubt. Every part of the project had questions we needed to solve but we tackled each one slowly, steadily, and with purpose. Through training and multiple test jumps, we answered those questions one by one.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most critical moment was probably two weeks before the jump when we had to choose the exact day. With a big team flying in from all over the world, it was a stressful decision and it had to be perfect.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you share a behind-the-scenes moment that no one saw, but was meaningful to you?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The real story is in everything that happens before the jump: the ground training, the countless skydives, the strict diet, the early mornings, the late nights, the travel, the time away from family and home… and the frustration when things don\u2019t go as planned.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

People see the final moment and might think it all happened overnight. But the truth is, a mission like this demands an insane amount of effort and sacrifice from every member of the team.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sebastian Alvarez, 100% focused on getting the job done
Photo by Scott Plamer\/Red Bull Content Pool
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What was going through your mind in the moments right before exit \u2014 and during the flight itself?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

During the pre-breathing, about 45 minutes before takeoff, I was calm and focused, mentally walking through the entire jump and visualizing everything, especially what could go wrong and how to react immediately if it did.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the way up, I stayed extremely focused, especially on the oxygen system and my blood oxygen levels, making sure I wasn\u2019t experiencing hypoxia.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right before exit, I switched fully into mission mode. I took a moment at the door to enjoy the view, look back at the wake turbulence and condensation trailing the plane, and glance up to see how deep and dark the sky looked.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then I took a deep breath\u2026 and jumped. 100% focused on getting the job done.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A happy Alvarez after achieving three new world records on March 21, 2025
Photo by Joerg Mitter\/Red Bull Content Pool<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Now that you\u2019ve achieved this world record, what\u2019s next for you?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

First, a bit of rest to surf with friends, enjoy the records with my family, and just take it all in.<\/em> Then, I\u2019ll be diving into a super exciting new project I\u2019m developing\u2026 this time, not related to wingsuiting.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks, Sebastian! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Relive Sebastian’s epic flight with this video<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n