audacium

Hi, thanks for your concern, the jumper is fine. In fact, he got away with surprisingly little injuries, although everybody on scene thought they would have to count this as a fatality (I was not present personnally). Worst thing was severely wounded heel I believe. In fact the reserve opened (or better opened somewhat) approx. 200ft (!) above ground (that is from the website), so for spectators it looked like he would go in. Approx. 60 ft above ground the jumper had managed to kick out of the twists, but as the main and all the mess was still caught in the reserve he continued to spiral to the ground. Just a little clarification to Feuergnom's first post. The line got caught under the flap, and the subsequent cutaway did not work as the line _remained_ caught (so it was noo fast activation or something in this style). Well, the jumper's only remaining option was to put out as much nylon as possible, he activated the reserve, and then the reserve stayed in the freebag (the spring pilot chute was caught in the main) . Only by fighting the whole time and pulling on the risers the jumper managed to get the reserve out of the freebag. As mentioned we all would like to know whether this can also happen to Mirage, Javelin, etc. and what else is out there, if not, whether it depends on the construction or whether the jumper just had really bad luck. I believe the construction of the flap should be changed, but the manufacturer states it is just a packing problem. Well...the jumper and a lot of other people do not think so. Again, thanks for your concern. -- Eduard

Sorry, but you obviously are that ignorant, and you do not give the impression you ever listened to good electronic music. When you go to Walmart and get a "Dance Now" (or whatever) sampler for USD 2.99 then chances are your observations will be correct. But this is like going into any bar in any city, listen to the live band playing rock music and then saying "all I need to make a hit is get a guitar, fiddle around, beat the drums to death and hurl like crazy into the mic to make it sound like rock". Sure you will agree it is not fair to judge rock this way. Most really good electronic dance music is still to be found on vinyl only, so you have to dig in record stores and see what you like (there is good music on CD, but the real treasures are on vinyl imho). And I can guarantee it will not meet the cliché of some 17-years old computer geek creating a techno hit within half a second with his music software. Also, most of the techno artists (especially the older ones) have a long career in other music paths only to grow into techno / electronic music. Some have a formal education in music / studied music, some don't. But they have a solid background in music, more than any computer geek will have. They are "real musicians". That said, I understand if you do not like electronic music - it is not for everyone, and good techno music surely is not for the mainstream. But before judging it so harshly you should know more about it I dare say. -- Eduard

Wow. Glad you are up again! Eduard -- Eduard

Very very nice, Jarno. I am looking forward to the final product! Thanks for all your effort! Blue Skies, Eduard. -- Eduard

Namibia ... nice ... I did my first jump ever (tandem) in Swakopmund two years ago. (With Gordon...is he still around?) And then I talked to Craig about how to start skydiving because I was so hooked. So...next time I come to Namibia I will bring my suits with me :-)! Have fun! Blue Skies, Eduard. -- Eduard

Go to www.divx.com, download Divx (not "Divx Pro" or "Dr. Divx"), it is free. Then install it, restart your computer, and the video should run smoothly, for example in your real player. Blue Skies, Eduard. -- Eduard

Hei Vesa, Thanks very much - this is really nice video!! And the Hercboogie was just awesome, wasn't it? I am looking forward the DVD, Jarno! See you, Eduard. -- Eduard

Yes, good luck to you all!! Eduard. -- Eduard

It seems an Australian (Slim) has been injured at the Jinmao event. (News story here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200410/s1213739.htm ) All the best wishes for your recovery!! Heal fast! -- Eduard

No, I have a LCD-display with no radiation at all -- Eduard

Nice footage! I had really had a great time with all of you, and I am looking forward to our next big-ways :-)! Blue Skies, Eduard. -- Eduard

Hi space, well, at least on F. website it says "the world's lowest base jump" (in the intro) ... so no excuse here because of false or exaggerated media reports or whatever ... is it just a false statement on his website ... unknowingly of course ... we know now there have been and there are lower jumps so this should be corrected, shouldn't it ... Greetz. -- Eduard

Well, I will be there also - with my GTI. Jari, do you have an S3 in stock ? See you, Eduard. -- Eduard

In Germany the repack cycle recently has been changed to once a year. There was a lot of discussion going on, but in the end it seemed to be clear that prolonging the repack cycle would not be a safety issue. At least that is how I understood it. And in my opinion the repack might be a welcome possibility to check gear, but it should not be. It is everybody's own responsibility to check his gear regularly for wear and tear. I would even suspect that the four-month repack cycle makes some people look less after their gear "my rigger will check it soon anyway"... And come on, you US people with the shortest repack cycle on earth