A group of 104 elite skydivers from 20 different countries set a new world record with a new physics-defying mid-air canopy formation on November 22 in Lake Wales, Florida.
The feat was captured in stunning viral footage, showing the skydivers linking their parachutes mid-air to create a giant star pattern against the sky, shattering the world record for the largest canopy relative work (CPW) formation.
The previous world record involving 100 skydivers in formation was set in 2007. This attempt required a serious logistical operation, including 8 planes and the cooperation of a vast array of relevant agencies, including air traffic control, as per reports.
Chris Gay, who co-organised the skydiving formation, said three world-record judges on site
confirmed the group set the new record. “When we have an event like this, it’s the journey. And so many people changed their lifestyle, the way they ate. The way they exercised, the way they slept. They got into much better shape than they have been in 10 or 20 years. So, a lot of people are claiming that that’s one of the big things for the event,” he told WALB News.
Viral footage from Performance Designs and accompanying photographers captured the immense scale of the formation, with colorful canopies locking together to form a giant structure. The event was dubbed as Operation VK.
“This Thanksgiving, we’re giving thanks for a new 104-way CRW world record! To everyone who built this historic formation from the base, to the very last dock, to the video team and to everyone on the ground supporting them, congrats. You made something unforgettable,” it said on Instagram.
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Among the participants was a 60-year-old plumber, Peter Hughes, who described the achievement as “absolutely amazing”, reported The Westmorland Gazette.
“There is a group of 130 of us who have been working on this for many years, concentrating on this particular jump for the last three years. Everyone involved in it [the jump] has gone through a journey,” he said.
The video drew praise from netizens on social media. “This is next level cool!” wrote one user, while another netizen said., “Videos like these remind us humans are pretty awesome.”
