1st Day of the Mondial 28th November 2012

28th November 2012

18.00      Formation Skydiving Draw

Happy Birthday today to :
Vadim Abramov (Russia) 4-Way videocamerman
and
Oleg Poda (Ukraine) - 4-Way Open

13.00 The winds - gusting over limits - meant there was no jumping for accuracy or canopy piloting this morning, and all competitors are on standbby until 15.00 hrs, but there really does not seem to be any sign of it dropping.  The style jumpers are on a standby following a 15minute call so we may see them jump before the day is out. 

Disappointing for all the press who have arrived, including a TV production company from Chanel 7 in Australia!  Here to do a \"story\" on the Australian Team and cover this huge event.  Working in the media centre it is fascinating to see all the press, from all over, here to report on the largest ever parachuting event.

In passing . . .

This Mondial of 6 World Championships knows no bounds and we’ve already run out of superlatives in utter wonderment at the scale of things around us. From the 5* cuisine to the air-conditioned team tents for competitors – with accompanying flat screen TV, fridge and beds – the organisers have truly excelled themselves to accommodate the needs of everyone here. The GB Freestyle Team of Andrea (Pixie) & Alistair Hodgson, World Championship Silver Medalists in 2010 and World Cup & European Championship Bronze Medalists in 2011, are not only known for their skydiving skills, but the fact that Alistair took up skydiving after he lost his legs whilst on active military service.  Consequently he has perfected his own landing technique, whereby he needs a grass strip on which to slide to a stop. It came to light that the DZ which will be used for their particular discipline, was actually comprised of sand and gravel – and not a blade of grass in sight. With one practice jump completed, it was clear that the allocated DZ could will jeopardise Al’s safety and even their continued participation in the Championship. Within 48hours, a mini DZ of Astroturf was laid exclusively for his benefit (see picture). No superlatives needed.

8.00 am.     Almost there, still some links to input, and checks to be made against the final registration lists - but today is the final day of preparation for everyone on site.  The weather forcast is better for today, maybe starting to cool down (all relative).

The picture on the front is of the DZ with the competitors tents, taken from one of the Hotels, the Ocean View Hotel, where many of the teams are staying.  This Hotel has only just been completed and they have opened especially for the Mondial - they will close again to finalise things before the \"official\" opening on 1st January 2013.  As with anything new there is some \"finishing off\" to do.