First wingsuit record recognized by the USPA
By Taya Weiss USPA D27874

Twenty-five skydivers set the first ever United States Parachute Association-recognized wingsuit state record for Largest Formation on July 28th, 2009 at Skydive Chicago in Ottawa, Illinois. After hearing a presentation from Taya Weiss and working with her on an amendment to the Skydiver's Competition Manual, the USPA Board of Directors voted unanimously at their Summer Meeting in Dallas, Texas in mid-July to adopt a new judging standard using a grid overlaid on a photograph of the wingsuit formation. This is the first ever official record set using the new criteria. Judges were Scott Smith and Sarah Thompson.

Several other countries are now considering adopting the same judging standard, and the USPA delegate to the IPC will put it on the agenda for FAI-level recognition next year.

The parachutists over forty years old in this formation went off right afterwards to go and set a POPS (Parachutists Over Phorty Society) record of their own! They flew with all the talent accumulated over the years, and now await a POPS decision on whether to certify this new record. Stay tuned…

The new judging criteria will be proven again in November at Skydive Elsinore in California, where Taya's Raise the Sky organization will attempt a 100-person formation and raise money for charity while doing it. South African skydiver Riaan Bergh has qualified for a spot on the Record team and will be travelling to participate. Anyone interested in wingsuit organizing and judging can contact Taya Weiss at taya@raisethesky.org and also find out more at the 2nd Annual tonto Boogie.