Photo above by Niklas Daniel.

December 29—Competition began today at the USPA National Collegiate Skydiving Championships at Skydive Arizona in Eloy. The first event, sport accuracy (in which competitors must fly their canopies to a target and perform a stand-up landing), saw a record 92 registrants. Although the competition is known for its cooperative, lighthearted and supportive atmosphere, with attendance this strong, competition is bound to be fierce!  

Over the next four days, the college athletes will compete in novice, intermediate, masters and team sport accuracy; open and advanced 2-way formation skydiving; 2-way vertical formation skydiving; 6-way speed formation skydiving; and open and advanced 4-way formation skydiving. The cloud ceiling rose just enough at 10:30 Mountain Standard Time to allow the first load of sport accuracy jumpers to exit. Winds are light but conditions in the landing area are muddy due to a rare desert rainstorm the previous day. Judges will update the scores—which are available at omniskore.com—as each round completes.