Hundreds of skydivers from around the world are in Illinois this week, attempting to break two skydiving records. They’ve been waiting for the clouds to clear to make the jump in Ottawa, not far from Starved Rock State Park.
“What we’re doing is really exceptional and really incredible,” said Karine Joly, 2018 World Champion in skydiving from France. “This is why so many people come from so many different countries, because it’s really rare to share the sky with 200 people.”
Joly is hoping to make history. She’s among 200 skydivers trying to break the Vertical World Record, where they will fly head down and join hands for the largest formation.
Another group is attempting to break the 250 Way Illinois State Record where they will fly in the belly to earth position for the formation.
“We made a jump in the morning it was amazing,” said Doug Barron, The 250 Way Lead Organizer. “Just the visual of stepping off the lead airplane and seeing 10 other airplanes go by you is something only a few people get to see in their lifetime.”
Skydive Chicago in LaSalle County is hosting the world’s elite and experienced skydivers from 53 countries. The last Vertical World Record was set in 2015 with 164 skydivers, according to officials. They attempted to break that record in 2018 and 2022, but the weather conditions were not favorable.
This time around, they’re determined to get it done.
“The engineering and the thought process that’s gone into this, this is the fastest that we’ve been building these formations—I think for sure we’re going to get it,” said Monica Noncheva, Skydive Orange President.
Noncehva, who is from Virginia is a second-generation skydiver with 5,000 jumps to her name.
“It was a long journey to get here, for me it was about 2 years of going to training camps in order to be on this world record event,” she said. “For me, this is my first co-ed world record event that I’ve gotten an invite too so it’s really really special for me to be here today.”
From the free fall to the synchronized waves, these skydivers said the feeling is unlike any other.
“It’s such an amazing experience when you jump out everything disappears,” said Steve Lefkowitz. “You know there’s nothing more in the moment than being in free fall outside of an airplane.”
The skydivers made at least five attempts this week, with more planned for Friday. They’re feeling confident they can get it done with help from mother nature and grateful for their network of support.
“I always say, everybody starts skydiving for around the same ten reasons: overcoming something, a birthday, a celebration,” said Barron. “But everybody stays in the community, or everybody stays in the sport for the community because it’s so special.”
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