Day 4 - Jump #1 - A NEW WORLD RECORD!

The 164-Way World Record Jump - takeaways from Rook

"First I want to thank all the participants for going on this emotional rollercoaster which, lucky for us had a storybook ending. Also big thanks to the following:

The Judges:
Marylou Laughlin, Jami Pillasch and Randy Connell

My co-organizer
Mike Swanson

The amazing Pilots led by Chief Pilot Dave Schwartz:
Jerry Baker, Curtis, Doug Smith, Dave Brown, Mark Vickers, Brian Perrault, Heath Richardson

The Camera Crew:
Jason Peters (gallery), Brian Buckland (gallery), Gustavo Cabana (gallery), Norman Kent (gallery), Jon Devore (profile)

The Plane Captains:
Mickey Nuttall, Donagene Jones, Reese Pendleton, Dusty Hanks, Jason Russell, Melissa Lowe, and Ryan Risberg

Our Ground Crew led by Donovan Bartlett:
Jake Brown, Dan Baltazar, Ryan Nevans, Gomei Gomez, and Nick Russo

Our Events Team
Hillary Hmura, Katelyn Couch, and Andrea Lipizzi

Our Manifest team
led by Nicole Ebel

Before this jump was over I was already thinking how to go even bigger.

See you in 2018!" #verticalelite

Day 3 - final jump of the day (#5)

Jump #5 - last jump of the day - takeaways from Rook

Jump 5 started out good. I made a judgement call halfway up to switch jump run to North to help get the sun out of the floaters eyes. Unfortunately, by doing this it made the climb to altitude considerably longer.

The jump itself started off pretty good. People were taking their time and were disciplined which was nice after such a long day. We'll have to refer to the videos to see how big it built—Either way it was a safe day which is ultimately goal #1.

Brian Buckland Photography: Vertical World Record at Skydive Chicago &emdash; VRW2015-2356 Norman Kent Productions: Summerfest 2015 - Vertical World Record &emdash; NKP-Summerfest 2015-6020 Brian Buckland Photography: Vertical World Record at Skydive Chicago &emdash; VRW2015-2632 Brian Buckland Photography: Vertical World Record at Skydive Chicago &emdash; VRW2015-2188Norman Kent Productions: Summerfest 2015 - Vertical World Record &emdash; NKP-Summerfest 2015-5709 Norman Kent Productions: Summerfest 2015 - Vertical World Record &emdash; NKP-Summerfest 2015-6076 Norman Kent Productions: Summerfest 2015 - Vertical World Record &emdash; NKP-Summerfest 2015-6319 Brian Buckland Photography: Vertical World Record at Skydive Chicago &emdash; VRW2015-2713

Day 3 - Quick VWR Update!

What a day! Everyone has landed from jump #4 of the Vertical World Record attempts and are now headed up for 1 final jump of the day—but not without belting out some Eye of the Tiger, of course. The talent and drive of all participating is truly unreal here and as you can see by the picture below (taken today), there have been a number of REALLY close ones. We'll continue to keep you updated in real-time here and on our official facebook page.

Brian Buckland Photography: Vertical World Record at Skydive Chicago &emdash; VRW2015-2891

Day 3 - jump #4 takeaways from Rook

"As the formation built it was a little rough. There were some level issues and broken grips. Then it seemed to rebuild... but it was definitely a bit of a rodeo. Not sure as to the success. Everybody feels the same way. Now it’s time to dig deep if we didn’t get a record and do one more today."

Day 3 - jump #3 takeaways from Rook

"Man, everybody is performing really, really good. Everything in front of me was built and built for a long time. Unfortunately as I looked across the formation, the people in front of me were shaking their heads due to someone getting popped out of the formation behind me. The team needs to not be frustrated and look more towards the success of getting a record on the next jump."

Day 3 - jump #2 takeaways from Rook

[walking in] “… soo close. That was SO close."

"The jump started out really good everybody was kinda riding the high from the success of the first jump. Pilots in the aircraft formation are crushing it. Lotsa people landed thinking that we got it. Unfortunately, after chatting with some of the other captains, 1 or 2 people may have been out. Everybody knows we’re close. It’s going to take discipline and solid flying but today feels like the day."

Day 3 - first jump of the day (#1)

Rook:  "Jump was really good. Everything seems to be lining up for us—airplanes are perfect, weather is perfect. The jump was calm, as most morning jumps are. I could see 1 person that had a little bit of an issue and popped up above the formation. They were able to get back down but just prior to break off. Great way to start the day. Looking forward to the next jump."

Day 2 - final jump of the day (#5)

Jump #5 - last jump of the day - takeaways from Rook

"The jump started out smooth with a really solid airplane formation. We switched aircraft around [from the previous jump] and the guys crushed the new positioning. The formation built quite large and then again some waves started to flow through. Everything in my view was very close to completing, unfortunately everything behind me… wasn’t.

Break offs have been going real well all day, no close calls or intense canopy traffic. Donovan and his grounds crew team are doing a fantastic job picking people up and keeping the planes stocked with O2.

Look forward to reflecting on the video tonight then waking up and crushing the record!"

Brian Buckland Photography: Vertical World Record at Skydive Chicago &emdash; VRW2015-2086

Day 2 - jump #4 takeaways from Rook

"Jump 4 started off pretty good. Airplane formation was good, exit timing was good, and all airplanes exited together. Started to build up really strong. As the formation built, however, tension grew and a few people popped out up above the formation. Seems like fatigue is starting to play a factor in the team. Going to push on for one more jump today."

Day 2 - jump #3 takeaways from Rook

Rook:  "Weather has gotten perfect. The jump started out really strong. The airplane formation was super tight—everyone got there. There was a misqueue for one of the floating trail planes. The plane may have arrived just before breakoff. All the other sectors looked really, really strong. Today could be the day."

[as he's walking away] "gaaa that felt so good though!"

Day 2 - first two jumps of the day

Jump #1 - takeaway from Rook

"This was our best jump done by far. Built to a 150-way. First jumps are usually always successful. Everyone is calm, just waking up. The formation was built symmetrical and everybody was dialed in to their cross partner. Lotsa energy and hi-5's when we landed. "

Jump #2 - takeaway from Rook

"There was a cloud layer at 13,000ft which forced us to descend and do single plane shots underneath the cloud layer. Was a bummer because there was high energy from the success of the last jump. Now a quick lunch and hopefully 3 more jumps."

Day 1 - final load of the day

Rook: "Airplane formation was the best it's ever been. There was a lot of time to build the formation however there was a bit of off-level flying that caused some waves to go through the formation. Look forward to debriefing the video from today so that we have a solid plan ready to go forward with in the AM."

Day 1 - Jump #2 takeaways

Rook: "Jump #2 was better. Oxygen snafoos have been fixed. There was a little bit more tension, which usually means the formation is large. Airplane line-up seems to have improved as well. Everyone seems to be dialing in their slot. Looking forward to 1 more jump today!"

Day 1 - Jump #2 NOW CALL!

Day 1 - Jump #1 Takeaways from Rook

Rook: "First jump felt really good and excitement all-around is high. Had a few snafoos with the oxygen system. Spot was perfect and the airplane formation was nice. Formation built quite large and the 10-way base worked well. Now time for lunch, then 3 more jumps to go."