282 days to the Mondial

282 days to the largest skydiving event EVER – the Countdown has started for the Mondial,

                                    6 World Championships

                                    29 World Champions to be decided

                                    7 parachuting/skydiving competitive disciplines

                                    1 test event

            and                   1 demonstration event

All this to take place at probably the most stunning drop zone in the world – DUBAI, - 28^th November to 9^th December 2012.

At the FAI/IPC 63^rd Plenary Meeting in Argentina the Organiser's Agreement between the FAI/IPC and the Emirates Aviation Association was signed by the respective Presidents, John Grubström, FAI and Graeme Windsor, IPC and so the first part of the process, which started with the bid to host the championships at the 62^nd Plenary in Barr, Montenegro 2011, was concluded. Now we can countdown the days …..

At the 3^rd Dubai Gulf Cup and International Parachuting Championship in December 2011 there was $775,000 given in prize money – the most ever at a parachuting competition. The organisers have suggested that there will also be prize money on offer for this Mondial. We await the 1^st Bulletin and further information.

6^th Junior Freefall Style and Accuracy Landing World Championships will decide:

World Champion, Junior Male, Accuracy Landings

currently held by:

Nicolau ALEXANDRU – Romania

World Champion, Junior Female, Accuracy Landings

currently held by:

Galina ORLENCO – Russia

World Champion, Junior Male, Style

currently held by:

Elischa WEBER – Germany

World Champion, Junior Female, Style

currently held by:

Arina PROKOPYEVA – Russia

World Champion, Junior Male Overall

currently held by:

Anton BYSTROV – Belarus

World Champion, Junior Female, Overall

32^nd Freefall Style and Accuracy Landing World Championships will decide:

World Champion, Male, Accuracy Landings

currently held by:

Guiseppe TRESOLDI – Italy

World Champion, Female, Accuracy Landings

currently held by:

Svetlana KLENINA – Russia

World Champion, Male, Style

currently held by:

Jiri GENCNUK – Czech Republic

World Champion, Female, Style

currently held by:

Svetlana KLENINA – Russia

World Champion, Male Overall

currently held by:

Thomas JEANNEROT – France

World Champion, Female, Overall

currently held by:

Svetlana KLENINA – Russia

World Champion Team, Male Accuracy

currently held by:

ITALY

World Champion Team, Female Accuracy

currently held by:

RUSSIA

World Champion Team, Male Overall

currently held by:

RUSSIA

World Champion Team, Female Accuracy

currently held by:

RUSSIA

20^th Formation Skydiving World Championships will decide:

World Champions 4-Way Open

currently held by:

FRANCE

World Champions 4-Way Female

currently held by:

FRANCE

World Champions 8-Way Open

currently held by:

FRANCE

World Champions VFS

currently held by:

FRANCE

15^th Canopy Formations World Championships will decide:

World Champions 2-Way Sequential

currently held by

USA 2

World Champions 4-Way Sequential

currently held by

USA

World Champions 4-Way Rotations

currently held by

RUSSIA

9^th Artistic Events World Championships will decide:

World Champions in Freestyle Skydiving

currently held by

FRANCE 1

World Champions in Freeflying

currently held by

USA 1

4^th Canopy Piloting World Championships will decide:

World Champion in Accuracy

currently held by

Jason MOLEDZKI, Canada

World Champion in Distance

currently held by

Christian WAGNER, Austria

World Champion in Speed

currently held by

Jason MOLEDZKI, Canada

World Champion in Overall

currently held by

Jason MOLDEZKI, Canada

The Para-Ski Championships will utilise the Indoor Ski Slope for the two Ski Race elements of the event – but due to the shortness of the slope, 2 runs will be used to count towards a score for 1 run. The accuracy landing will be done into the main arena and a normal accuracy landing pad will be used, although it is hoped to organise one round onto the beach with an angled landing target.

In addition there will be a test event for Freestyle Canopy Piloting at the completion of the Canopy Piloting World Championships.

The final discipline to be showcased during the World Championships is a demonstration of Speed Skydiving.

The story has only just begun.

Susan Dixon

Media Liaison Officer

20 February 2012