ltdiver 3 #1 January 12, 2004 Hmmmmm......wonder who their source was.... Skydiving Big-Way Records Former Aurora man to go sky high to set record By ERIC SCHELKOPF Kane County Chronicle AURORA — Roy Schermerhorn will go to all heights to set a record. The former Aurora resident who lives in Redondo Beach, Calif., is among 372 skydivers who plan a world record freefall formation later this month at Korat, Thailand. The current world record is 300 skydivers set in 2002 in Eloy, Ariz. Before that, the record was a 246-skydiver formation in Ottawa in 1998. The World Team, a group of top-notch skydivers from around the world, plans to complete a 372-way freefall formation to honor the 72th birthday of Queen Sirikit of Thailand and register it in the archives of the Federation Aeronautique International and Guinness Book of World Records. Schermerhorn said he is ready for the challenge. He has logged about 1,500 jumps, and made his first jump in 1985. "It is both a thrill and a challenge," said Schermerhorn, 52. "You are like a leaf in the wind, you bounce around a lot." The World Team will have 10 days to set the record. From Jan. 28 to Feb. 6, they will attempt three dives a day. Schermerhorn and his fellow skydivers will jump from four Royal Thai Air Force Hercules C-130s flying in loose formation at 23,000 feet. Only the most experienced skydivers are part of the World Team. Schermerhorn was invited to participate. The event will mark the largest number of people he has jumped with at one time. In September, Schermerhorn was involved in a jump with 125 people. Schermerhorn in 1997 was on a eight-way team that took third place in the intermediate class national formation skydiving competition that the United States Parachute Association holds nationally. His parents, Norma and Estel Schermerhorn of Montgomery, are not surprised about his latest endeavor. "He lives life a little on the edge. We have to have faith he knows what he is doing," Norma said. But for Schermerhorn, skydiving is less dangerous than his previous sport — skiing. "The most serious injury I have received skydiving was a sprained ankle. One other time, I broke a toe. Those are the extent of my injuries. I find skydiving to be safer than snow skiing, as far as injuries," Schermerhorn said. Schermerhorn does not know whether he and his fellow skydivers will be successful in their planned formation. But he is hopeful that they will set some sort of record. More information about the World Team Royal Sky Celebration is available online at www.theworldteam.com. Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
