The day started early as winds were expected later in the afternoon. The base made two practice jumps with only the Alpha team docking as one sector. The idea was to settle out any issues. The base performed solidly on the second jump and the decision was made to begin the first 222-way attempts.
Chomping at the bit!
The six sectors used their time to debrief the last jumps, dirt dive and make any other adjustments. They were chomping at the bit when they finally loaded all ten planes at noon at Skydive Arizona.
No contact plan
The goal for the first attempt was not to try for a completion but to start the build in stages. The base would complete and the “spines,” the inside structure of the sectors, were to connect but the rest of each sector were to hang back, on their radial and just take a look at were they would be docking. The idea was to get everyone in their quadrant, give them a good look-see, with no pressure to dock. It was a confidence-building strategy.
BJ Worth
Director BJ Worth is very pleased with the strategy of the build and the team’s progress. He also made an interesting comment about placement of personnel: “When we first started making records with World Team, we would keep each country group together. A complete sector would be French, another USA, Russian, Latin, etc. It worked well for translation purposes when we gave directions and there was a strong national allegiance and camaraderie in each sector However it wasn’t always the best strategy for completing a record. For this event, I stuck strictly with body matrix and talent for each slot and for the exit. I broke the French team up into three different sectors. US team members are scattered throughout the sectors and so on. Some sectors were a little unnerved at first but I believe this strategy is part of what is helping us progress at such a good rate.’
Tomorrow
Unfortunately the winds did come up again later in the afternoon, but the group used the time to dirt dive as the complete 222-way. Here at Skydive Arizona we will load the airplanes at 0815 PST, tomorrow morning for the second attempt at a completion.
The first 222-way jump – Although it didn't look exactly pretty all the participants got a lot out of it
Daily Captain’s Update
Lou Tommaso, Sector 2
Day 4 is over. How was it?
“A very good day. The Base got to make 2 jumps with the Alpha Team and made some important adjustments. And we did the first 222-way jump. Although it didn’t look exactly pretty all the participants got a lot out of it.”
What do you think about your Sector [2]?
“Just like last year we have a very talented group of people that know how to work together. As a group we improved at every skydive. Last year Sector 2 was the best and I know it will be the same this year.” [Sport the New Yorker!]
How long have you been jumping with the World Team and what will you miss most?
“18 amazing years. Miss most… the camaraderie and the work ethic of the World Team.”
##Do you think/hope that BJ Worth might change his mind during his retirement and maybe get back with another World Team event?
“I don’t know if BJ will completely change his mind. I know he still plans do to 1-2 Kaleidoscope-type events per year. I think the skydiving community needs these kind of events”
Previous article, 222-way Sequential Day 3
Previous article, 222-way Sequential Day 2
Previous article, 222-way Sequential Day 1
First article, warm-up: Fly it Forward
