On August 11, the Vertical Elite—a team consisting of some of the world’s best skydivers—gathered at Skydive Chicago in Ottawa, Illinois, to attempt to set the world record for largest head-down formation. After a rigorous selection process spanning over nine tryout camps beginning in October of last year, more than 250 jumpers received an invitation to attempt a 200-way head-down formation to replace the 164-way record set in 2015.

The energy from the record event’s opening briefing was infectious. “We’re meeting as teammates this time,” DZO Rook Nelson explained. “We’re all after the same trophy.” But while comradeship was at a high, weather kept the fleet of nine planes grounded for nearly three of the five days. In the end, the team was able to complete only 12 of the intended 20 jumps and faced a tiring cycle of anticipation followed by frustration as stagnant, low clouds blanketed the skies over the drop zone.

“There was a frustration that happens when you’re on a weather hold but multiplied because years of training led to just waiting on blue skies,” commented Director of Marketing and Events A.J. Johnson, whose efforts to maintain morale ranged from an unyielding supply of high fives to a full playlist of rock anthems intended to reinvigorate the record-hungry team.

Unfortunately, despite meticulous planning, strong flying and an admirable display of focus and sportsmanship, the current record remains unchanged. Still, Nelson and others agreed that weather was the only real opposition to eventual success.

While it may be another year or so before the team reprises its attempt at breaking the record, its members will presumably return to individual training with a refreshed sense of focus and determination. According to Johnson, that is the nature of the sport: “It’s all about pushing limits. We go until we get it, whatever it is we’re after. Skydivers don’t understand the concept of quitting ... it’s not a word we use.”

Casey McGrath | B-42728
Lockport, Illinois