131-way Women's World Record
What a day. The skies were patchy and it looked like it was going to be good weather for us. I arrived at the dz a bit late; as I walked in a couple people stopped to let me know that we were on a 15 minute call for a full gear dirt dive. We dirt dived a 132 way formation for the first jump.
How many ways can you screw up on one skydive? I discovered at 1000 feet that I'd forgotten to turn my ProTrack on; at least I remembered the Cypres . Climb out signal was given. I was in the door before I remembered to pull my goggles down. Fast exit, the picture was a bit different than normal. I was overamping and commited a major "red zone" violation - instead of approaching my slot on a direct radial, I came in high and over another jumper. Managed to get into my slot and pick up grips without affecting anyone else or wasting too much time. The dive didn't complete; another jumper had gone way low on her approach. I blew it again on landing - ended up landing the wrong direction. Luckily there was no traffic close to me. Just to top it off... I landed feet, knees, face.
Photo: Jump Run Productions
Jump For The Cause
Shannon Embry
Daily Updates:
Day 6 - 10/19/2002
Day 5 - 10/18/2002
Day 4 - 10/17/2002
Day 3 - 10/16/2002
Day 2 - 10/15/2002
Day 1 - 10/14/2002
I was sure that I would get cut after that. I went directly to the team room after dropping my gear and checking in, mentally kicking myself the whole way. Dropped my helmet off and was headed out when my plane captain, Linda (hotamaly), came in and asked if I was okay. I told her what I'd done and that I was sure they were going to cut me.
While hanging around waiting (and stressing), I heard that the girl who'd gone low got cut. I kept waiting for one of the organizers to come tap me on the shoulder... but lucky for me that didn't happen. Linda came out from the captain's meeting and told me I was still on.
Out to the landing area in full gear for another dirt dive. We were 131 strong. Mary SantAngelo - a breast cancer survivor and a wonderful woman - came to the center and called all the other survivors on the load to join her. We gave them a round of applause, then Mary's mom came to the center. She asked us to get the record, then blessed us with holy water. Even the non-religious of us were very touched.
After our now ritual chant - "Right here. Right now. This skydive. My personal best" - we headed to the aircraft. E plane was quiet and focused on the climb to altitude. We all wanted this really bad.
Out the door and the picture was perfect. I made a sweet approach to my slot and docked on Charlene's leg and Rhonda's wrist softly. There was a bit of tension (okay, quite a bit of tension) on my left leg, so I was damn near tracking to keep myself in my slot. Looking at Kate's butt I could see the formation building quietly on the other side in my peripheral vision. It felt and looked really good!
Clean break off, landed in the far field and starting yelling. Picked up my canopy and ran to the nearest girl for a hug. The bus picked us up and headed to the landing area where we could see the entire group gathering. It was a loud bus ride; we all were sure that we had done it this time.
Sure enough. The bus unloaded us in the grass and we joined our sister's in hugs, tears, laughter, smiles and a lot of whoooo hoooo's. Rumor had it that we'd held it for around 10 seconds! We gathered for pictures, then headed across the runway to the packing area.
Spectators and other jumpers lined the fence and both sides of the sidewalk. They knew we'd gotten it too. I saw Darryld, a load organizer at Perris that I've jumped with quite a bit this year, standing along the fence; went over to give him a hug. As I turned to walk to the sidewalk I saw my brother, his girlfriend and my niece Reynee. Hugs all around, then I asked Reynee if she wanted to walk in with me. Carried her and my canopy halfway down the sidewalk, smiling and enjoying the congratulations.
We broke for lunch while the judges confirmed the record. They were not only timing it, they also were looking for any broken grips or jumpers in the wrong slot. The official confirmation from the judges was that we'd done it - the new FAI women's world record formation was a 131 woman formation held for 10.73 seconds.
I don't think I've ever given and received so many hugs! My cheek muscles are still sore today from the big grin I was wearing - and I still catch myself smiling every time I think about it.
We brought all of our sisters back on the load for the final jump of the day - a 135 way. Most of us were worn out after celebrating, but we all dug deep and brought back the energy that we'd been jumping with all week. Breaking our own records would be sweet!
After the dirt dive we headed over to the hangar where they'd arranged aircraft and a golf cart for the taping of a short segment for Good Morning America (if you get it, watch for it Monday morning ). The segment may be short, but it seemed like I was on my knees forever while they taped it. Finally we were sent to our aircraft.
We had to rearrange our seating in E plane with the addition of our two sisters. There was a bit of confusion as we got seating and oxygen lines sorted out. The rest of the ride to altitude was quiet as we all focused on doing our jobs and breaking our own records.
This dive was basically over very high when a girl went low on her approach and couldn't get back up. I didn't see the video but I heard that she was the only one out - we were soooo close!
After getting back to the packing area and checking in we were released. Lots of us headed to the bar for a celebratory drink. The energy was still high on the dz; everyone was still smiling and congratulating each other.
The official closing ceremonies were held at 6 pm by the pool. Judy Celaya, FAI judge, gave us our official confirmation of the record. The organizers, Kate, Tony, Brad and Mallory thanked everyone involved in putting together such an awesome event. We raised almost US$400,000 for the City of Hope's new stereotactic biopsy room We raised awareness of breast cancer through the massive media coverage And we set four new records in only 13 jumps together - the Perris dz largest formation record, the California state largest formation record, the Guiness women's world record formation and the FAI women's world record formation.
Kate congratulated all of us, and went on to tell us that we were the best group of big way jumpers she'd ever jumper with. We built and held the FAI record formation on our 13th jump together - that is an awesome achievement.
Dinner was served, partying was in full effect. We all celebrated hard.
So that's it! JFTC 2002 was a great success despite the weather gods attempts to keep us down. I had an amazing week; this was truly one of the high points of my life and is something that I will always remember, treasure and be very proud of.
Once again, my thanks go out to each and every one of you who've supported me the past ten months. Without you I would not have been a part of this incredible event. I am humbled and deeply touched by your support and belief in me.
I also would like to thank Kate Cooper and Tony Domenico. Without their support, caring and teaching I would not have been on these dives.
My personal thanks also go out to the JFTC organizers, staff and volunteers; to the Perris staff - from the pilots and loaders to manifest to the bar and restaurant, everyone was incredibly supportive and helpful; to the spectators and skydivers who came out to cheer us on; and most especially to my 134 sky sisters.
What more can I say? Girls kick ass!
Pull & Flare,
Lisa