Texas State Record, day 3

Well, dangit. The day started out nice and sunny for a 160-way attempt, but the winds are coming back along with a broken layer of low clouds. We're on a weather hold at the moment.

The first 160-way attempt today built quite nicely on yesterday's solid foundation, with several sectors complete and most everyone else lurking their slots closely. Today the plan is to turn around the debriefs a little quicker so we can make more jumps when the weather cooperates.

Here's what this morning's jump looked like (thanks Brett!):

Day 3 jump 1 exit

Day 3 jump 1 builds

Day 3 jump 1 at breakoff

It sounds like we might use the weather hold to conduct a mini-seminar on the breakoff plan, which utilizes organized tracking groups rather than an everyone-save-yourselves-get-the-heck-out-of-Dodge approach. We'll bring you the scoop on that shortly.

Update (12 pm): That first dive today had 151 people in, technically breaking the current Texas State Record of 150 people set at Spaceland on April 21, 2007 (but since it wasn't completed and held for 3 seconds, it doesn't count).

The breakoff/tracking discussion and exercise was very informative, especially for those of us who haven't been on dives with this kind of strategy before. As captain Tony Domenico said, "On a big way, tracking is relative work."

"We're hearing and seeing lots of different interpretations of the plan," said captain Kate Cooper. "So here's our interpretation.

"I've been chastised at World Team events for tracking too flat," she said. "It almost doesn't make sense--isn't the point of a track to save your life? But we can't have the Lone Rangers out there by themselves just because they can track flat. The goal is more separation; if these groups start out tracking steeper they will go lower but also faster, and they can get more separation."

Kate Cooper explains the breakoff plan.

The current breakoff plan for the 160-ways is as follows:

1. 7000 feet: First wave leaves in groups of five and seven jumpers tracking together on distinct radials (see diagram below).
2. 6000 feet: Second wave leaves in groups of three and four jumpers tracking together on distinct radials.
3. 5000 feet: Base leaves
4. 4000 feet: All skydivers fan out from their tracking groups.

Pull altitudes:

1. First wave: In the saddle at 2500 feet
2. Second wave: In the saddle at 3000 feet
3. Base: When clear

"The first wave start out tracking steep, then flatten out. The tracking group's leader's job is to keep everyone else with you--don't run away from them yet! After ten seconds, then it's all about you," Kate said with a grin.

"The second group tracks flatter and slower," she went on. "We always hear people in the inside of big ways complaining that they're taking over people in the outer rings. Don't! There is no longevity to being the fastest tracker in the middle of a big way. Your job is to use that middle. We have to track as a team; don't crank the turn outward and drop a meter below everyone else, catch a little air and turn smoothly, then work with your group."

Sector captains demonstrate a tracking group staying together for the initial separation.

Lastly but not leastly, Rob Desilets has thoughtfully provided online video of the 160-ways! So far, yesterday's two jumps are featured from all angles at formationskydivers.com.

We're on break right now, but we'll keep you posted on the happenings throughout the day.

Update (1:25 pm): Boo, winds are still high. 160-way participants have been released until 3 pm.

Update (4 pm): That's it for the day, kids. The 160-way has been released with these words by Bill Legard: "The captains have been meeting for the last hour and we have one thing to say about today..."

The captains kick off the end-of-day festivities with a little Cuervo.

Look for an early start tomorrow--the 160-way will be ready to go at 7 am and the Alpha team will be ready at 6:45 am.