Rich Delgado, along with five fellow Texans (Andrew Clayton, Billy Whitaker, Laura Galdamez, Loren Scott, and Lucas King), were hand-selected to contribute their skills toward the goal of establishing a first-time-ever Total or Full Break Sequential World Record achieving three different formations on a single skydive with over 100 people.
U.S. participants made up approximately half the team. Other countries represented were Canada, Germany, Brazil, the U.K., Ukraine, France, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, India, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Australia, Cyprus, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Romania, and the Netherlands.
The event was held at Skydive Arizona, a world-class facility between Phoenix and Tucson.
This location is ideal because of the generally favorable weather and wide-open landing areas for parachutists.
The event started with a day of practice for the base or “core” 44 and groups of 20 to 22 representing the 12 sectors surrounding the base. They jumped from the standard altitude of 13,500 feet in their separate groups to hone the skills required for the big group jump.
On day 2, the entire group jumped together as a team of 112 from 16,500 feet to build the first formation quickly enough to allow time to sequence to a second point. The third jump of the day successfully completed the entire formation and held it for four seconds.
Day 3 started with a beautiful 2-point jump, giving the organizers and team confidence that the 3-point goal was within their grasp. It was time to go higher (18,500 ft) to allow enough time to build the 3rd point to establish a world record. The extra altitude is needed to give the team approximately 70 seconds to build all three formations and then have time to track away from each other to deploy their parachutes safely.
On day 4, the group made a total of 4 jumps. The last jump of the day was their best of the event, building both the first and second points (formations) and nearly completing the 3rd point on the first time the entire group saw that transition. Only two grips were not taken. The group could feel it would happen, and excitement was palpable. With two days and three scheduled jumps remaining, everyone had a great jump to visualize as they slept that night.
As with many big-way record attempts, the group changed slightly due to health and performance issues.
On day 5, the group started with 109 jumpers; however, issues slowed the build of the first point, costing the group 15 valuable seconds. The organizers decided to reduce the group to 108.
Success was achieved on the next jump, which happened to be the 7th (lucky number 7) real attempt at the record.
The third formation was held for approximately 4 seconds! When these big-way records happen, the more experienced jumpers know it. The formation is calm and flat. One hour later, a group of three international judges confirmed it. A 3-point 108-way total break sequential world record was achieved.
No single grip from any of the three formations built was the same. And the party began!!
