Womens Full Break Sequential

Episode #821

October 26, 2024

On Saturday October 5, 2024 64 skydivers set an all women 2 point Full Break Sequential (FBS) freefall world record.

The event began on Thursday when women skydivers from all over the world arrived at Skydive Perris in California. It is organized by Helaine Rumaner, Kate Cooper-Jensen and Christy Frikken. They are world class organizers. The team, ranging in age from 27 to 70, were all hand selected. My wife, Paula Thues is on the team.

The plan is for 64 women to jump from 4 aircraft flying at 16,000 feet above the ground. They will then have about one minute to fly together in freefall, take up grips according to a preplanned diagram to form a pattern in the air (a first point). Everyone will then let go of their grips and move to another unique pattern (second point). Once completed, the women will fly away (track) from each other, open parachutes and fly to safe landings.

(If the video dive diagram below does not appear please reload this web page).

There will be a Skyvan in the lead and one at left trail. Two Otters will complete the airplane formation on right trail. The first and second day are practice jumps, four on day one and five on day two. Saturday sees some first point completions. It all came together on jump number four.

The aircraft are flying in a tight “V” formation with the base (center) skydivers poised on the edge of the tailgate of the lead Skyvan. The skydivers in the other airplanes cling to the outside of the doors, looking toward the lead plane. With a nod of her head, the base captain (Kate) yells,

“Ready!” everyone tightens up toward the door.

“Set!” the super floater lets go of the lead airplane signaling the trail planes to also let go.

“Go!” the base hops off the tailgate and everyone else runs out of their airplanes.

The team is now flying in freefall. Streams of skydivers follow each other to the base jumpers.

From the center out the first point formation is gripped.

When complete, Kate releases a streamer which flies from her hand above the formation. This is the signal for everyone to release their grips. All the skydivers say aloud, “Women Rock” to ensure all grips are released at the same time. Then they each move smoothly to the next formation.

Audio altimeters begin to beep in ears. Kate lets go of the streamer, a signal for the outermost jumpers to track away. Every few seconds another wave of skydivers turns and tracks away. When enough room is created from their tracking flight, parachutes are opened.

A carousel of parachutes is seen descending to the landing area of Skydive Perris. Cheers are heard from the ground. The skydivers believe they have completed the 2 point FBS skydive.

In the debrief room the women’s suspicions are confirmed. The video shows that the skydive was completed as planned. They are all world record holders.

To celebrate, Helaine is thrown into the swimming pool. The rest of the team join her.

Congratulations!

IF YOU LIKE THIS BLOG YOU’LL LOVE MY BOOKS:
“Skydivers Know Why Birds Sing” by Ricki T Thues is now available on Amazon.
It is a Love story of Rick and Paula Thues and their 35 years of Skydiving.

Click HERE to buy the paperback or Kindle ebook at Amazon.

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ALSO AVAILABLE:
“Technically Human” by Ricki T Thues, the iMentor, is available on Amazon.
It is a compilation of selected episodes from this bLog which tell the story of Humanity through the eyes of the iMentor.

Click HERE to buy the paperback or Kindle ebook at Amazon.
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