Formation skydiving
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Formation skydiving is a skydiving event where multiple skydivers attach themselves to one another by grabbing each other's limbs or by the use of "grippers" on their jumpsuit while free falling through the sky. The goal of this skydiving program is to build a formation of multiple divers arranged in a geometric pattern.
Sub-categories
Formation skydiving can be further divided into several sub-categories, so named for the number of members in a team:
- 4-way sequential
- 4-way vertical sequential (VFS, Vertical Formation Skydiving)
- 8-way sequential
- 16-way sequential
- 10-way speed
- Large formations (Big-ways)
Competitive format
A competition in 4-way formation skydiving (FS-4) takes place like this:
There are two kinds of formations, called randoms and blocks. The randoms are singular formations with full separation of all grips both before and after building the formation. The blocks are double formations with a special designated movement pattern in between, called an inter. The start formation may, or may not be similar to the ending formation. The inters are differently performed. Here are some examples:
Inter 1: The grips are released between some of the flyers, so they become two pieces of two team members. they both do a 270 degree turn, and reconnect to a different formation
Inter 2: Three people stay connected, and do a 360 turn, while the last person, flies alone.
Inter 15: All grips are released and everyone does a 360 turn back to the original formation.
Blocks are designated by numbers, while randoms got letters. Blocks are worth one point for each correct formation, that makes 2 points, and randoms count as 1 point. There are 22 blocks and 16 randoms.
competition consists of up to 10 rounds, and each round consists of 5 or 6 points, which the teams are to repeat as many times as they can within the working time of 35 seconds. The score judging are based on the videographers material.
A competition draw may look like this:
- 1: C-E-B-13
- 2: 14-20-8
- 3: 15-16-H
- 4: J-O-1-D
- 5: 6-18-19
- 6: 5-F-21
- 7: 10-K-G-M
- 8: 22-3-P
- 9: 12-9-4
- 10:11-17-Q
The winning team will be the team that has collected most points, by completing the most correct formations within time after the final round is ended. In case of weather or technical problems, or other causes, a competition will be valid as long as all teams has completed at least one round.
A recent sub-category of formation skydiving is vertical formation skydiving (VFS). Skydivers build formations using higher-speed body positions normally associated with freeflying, such as head down and sitflying.
World record
- BIG-WAY:
The current FAI world record for largest free-fall formation is a 400-way,{{cite web |url=https://www.fai.org/records?f%5B0%5D=field_status%3A146&f%5B1%5D=field_record_category%3A125&f%5B2%5D=field_group%3A357 |website=Fédération Aéronautique Internationale |title=Largest Formation Records |access-date= February 12, 2019 }} set on February 8, 2006, in Udon Thani, Thailand by the World Team.{{cite web |url=http://www.theworldteam.com/06MediaHistory.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026033647/http://www.theworldteam.com/06MediaHistory.htm |archive-date=October 26, 2011 |website=World Team |title=Chronology of World Records |access-date=February 12, 2019 |url-status=live }} It was held for 4.3 seconds. With the support of the Thai government, they used five C-130 Hercules airplanes and exited from an altitude of 25,400 feet.{{cite web |url=https://www.avweb.com/news/features/191584-1.html |title=The Making of the World's Largest Skydive |website=AVweb |last=Bertorelli |first=Paul |date=February 15, 2006 |access-date= February 12, 2019 }} In April 2013 the World Team tried to break the record for the largest 2-point formation dive in skydiving history. All 222 members came together and made a formation, broke apart, and then reformed to make a completely different formation. The team attempted the jump many times and came very close to breaking the record, but were unsuccessful each time. The World Team has not made anymore official statements about attempting the record again. {{cite web |url=http://www.usairnet.com/2013/04/14/world-record-jump-attempt-in-arizona/1004175/ |title=World Record Jump Attempt in Arizona |author= |date=April 14, 2013 |website= Air Sports Net |publisher= |access-date=30 September 2013}}
Longest sequence in one round:
- 4-Way
Set by the Belgian team(NMP-PCH Hayabusa), at the World Meet 2018 in round 6, where they posted 62 points in working time (35 seconds)
- 8-Way
Set by the U.S. (GKXP8) national team, at the World Meet 2024 , in round 9, where they posted 37 points in working time (50 seconds)
World championship
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%" |
| style="width:40px;"| Year
! style="width:150px;"| Venue ! style="width:125px;"| Airplane ! style="width:130px;"| 4-Way Champion ! style="width:90px;"| Points (avg) ! style="width:130px;"| 8-Way Champion ! style="width:90px;"| Points (avg) ! style="width:130px;"| 4-Way Female Champion ! style="width:90px;"| Points (avg) ! style="width:130px;"| 4-Way Vertical Formation ! style="width:90px;"| Points (avg) |
|---|
| style="text-align:center;"|1975
|{{flagicon|GER}} West Germany | |{{flagicon|USA}} United States |40/49.92* |{{flagicon|USA}} United States |100/163.85* |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|1977
|{{flagicon|AUS}} Australia | |{{flagicon|CAN}} Canada |73 (7.3) |15px{{flagicon|USA}} United States |42 (4.2) |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|1979
|{{flagicon|FRA}} France | |{{flagicon|CAN}} Canada |82 (8.2) |{{flagicon|USA}} United States |66 (6.6) |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|1981
|{{flagicon|USA}} United States | |{{flagicon|USA}} United States |116 (11.6) |{{flagicon|USA}} United States |83 (8.3) |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|1983
|{{flagicon|RSA}} South Africa | |{{flagicon|SUI}} Switzerland |115 (11.5) |{{flagicon|USA}} United States |102 (10.2) |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|1985
|{{flagicon|YUG}} Yugoslavia | |15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA |118 (11.8) |15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA |120 (12.0) |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|1987
|{{flagicon|BRA}} Brazil | |15px{{flagicon|FRA}}France |134 (13.4) |15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA |119 (13.2) (9 rd) |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|1989
|{{flagicon|SPA}} Spain | |15px{{flagicon|FRA}} France |152 (15.2) |15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA |138 (13.8) |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|1991
|{{flagicon|CZE}} Czechoslovakia |15px{{flagicon|FRA}} France |171 (17.1) |15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA |181 (18.1) |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|1993
|{{flagicon|USA}} United States |15px{{flagicon|FRA}} France |195 (19.5) |15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA |169 (16.9) |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|1995
|{{flagicon|FRA}} France |15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA |207 (20.7) |15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA |195 (19.5) |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|1997
|15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA |210 (21.0) |15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA |224 (22.4) |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|1999
|{{flagicon|AUS}} Australia |15px{{flagicon|FRA}} France |208 (20.8) |15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA |211 (21.1) |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|2001
|{{flagicon|SPA}} Spain |15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA |214 (21.4) |15px{{flagicon|RUS}}Russia |193 (19.3) |15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA |147 (14.7) |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|2003
|{{flagicon|FRA}} France |15px{{flagicon|FRA}} France |229 (22.9) |15px{{flagicon|RUS}}Russia |221 (20.9) (11 rd) |15px{{flagicon|GBR}} Great Britain |165 (16.5) |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|2004
|{{flagicon|CRO}} Croatia |15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA |227 (22.7) |15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA |172 (19.1) (9 rd) |15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA |169 (16.9) |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|2006
|{{flagicon|GER}} Germany |15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA |117 (23.4) (5 rd) |15px{{flagicon|FRA}} France |123 (20.5) (6 rd) |15px{{flagicon|GBR}} Great Britain |95 (19.0) (5 rd) |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|2008
|{{flagicon|FRA}} France |15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA |195 (24.4) (8 rd) |15px{{flagicon|FRA}} France |151 (21.6) (7 rd) |15px{{flagicon|GBR}} Great Britain |120 (20.0) (6 rd) |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|2010
|{{flagicon|RUS}} Russia |15px{{flagicon|FRA}} France |277 (27.7) |15px{{flagicon|FRA}} France |203 (20.3) |15px{{flagicon|FRA}} France |236 (23.6) |style="text-align:center;"|Not Held |style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|2012
|15px{{flagicon|USA}}USA |279 (27.9) |15px{{flagicon|USA}}USA |229 (22.9) |15px{{flagicon|USA}}USA |207 (20.7) |15px{{flagicon|FRA}}France |185 (23,1) (8 rd) |
| style="text-align:center;"|2014
|{{flagicon|CZE}} Czech Republic |15px{{flagicon|BEL}} Belgium |264 (26.4) |15px{{flagicon|USA}}USA |216 (21.6) |15px{{flagicon|FRA}}France |214 (21.4) |15px{{flagicon|FRA}}France |179 (22,4) (8 rd) |
| style="text-align:center;"|2016
|{{flagicon|USA}} United States |15px{{flagicon|BEL}}Belgium |262 (26.2) |15px{{flagicon|USA}}USA |239 (23.9) |15px{{flagicon|USA}}USA |224 (22.4) |15px{{flagicon|FRA}}France |168 (22.4) (8 rd) |
| style="text-align:center;"|2018
|{{flagicon|AUS}} Australia |15px{{flagicon|BEL}}Belgium |279 (27.9) |15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA |224 (22,4) |15px{{flagicon|FRA}}France |257 (25,7) |15px{{flagicon|USA}}USA |217 (21,7) |
| style="text-align:center;"|2020 (2021) |{{flagicon|RUS}} Russia |15px{{flagicon|BEL}} Belgium |193 (32,2) (6 rd) |15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA |
|166 (23,7) (7 rd)
|15px{{flagicon|}}RPF
15px{{flagicon|FRA}} France
15px{{flagicon|POL}}Poland
|150 (25,0) (6 rd)
|15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA
15px{{flagicon|}}RPF
15px{{flagicon|ITA}}Italy
|143 (20,4) (7 rd)
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|2022
|{{flagicon|USA}} United States
Eloy, Arizona
|15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA
15px{{flagicon|BEL}} Belgium
15px{{flagicon|QAT}} Qata
|261
228
219
|15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA
15px{{flagicon|QAT}} Qatar
15px{{flagicon|GER}} Germany
|205
164
131
|15px{{flagicon|GBR}} Great Britain
15px{{flagicon|FRA}} France
15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA
|200
189
184
|15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA
15px{{flagicon|AUS}} Australia
15px{{flagicon|NOR}} Norway
|212
190
140
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|2024
|{{flagicon|USA}} United States
Crystal Coast, North Carolina
|15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA
15px{{flagicon|FRA}} France
15px{{flagicon|QAT}} Qatar
|
|15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA
15px{{flagicon|QAT}} Qatar
15px{{flagicon|GER}} Germany
|
|15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA
15px{{flagicon|CHN}} China
15px{{flagicon|FRA}} France
|
|15px{{flagicon|USA}} USA
15px{{flagicon|NOR}} Norway
15px{{flagicon|ITA}} Italy
|
|-
|}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=58 Article about formation skydiving on Dropzone.com]