A number of different disciplines, consisting of many more different events, make up what is commonly referred to as PARACHUTING or SKYDIVING. All disciplines have in common that a parachute - "a fabric device with cords supporting a harness allowing to descend SAFELY through the air from great height, especially from an aircraft" - is used to practice them. In fact, two parachutes are required to practice them with a truly comforting margin for SAFETY: all PARACHUTISTS or SKYDIVERS use a main and a reserve parachute. A first distinction between the disciplines can be made by determining how the main parachute is being used. In some disciplines, in Accuracy Landing and Canopy Formation, it is an integral part to the jumpers’ performance - the control over the parachute marking the essence. In all other disciplines, in the many freefall events, it’s merely a deceleration device used to land after the performance has been put in prior to opening the parachute.

Of all the different events, only three are featured in the program of the 6th World Games Akita 2001. They are described somewhat extensively in continuation.

Upon leaving the aircraft at an altitude of between 750 and 1000 meters in groups of up to four, the jumpers deploy their parachutes after a short delay. They proceed to steer the square ram-air parachutes to a precision landing on the target, an electronic measuring device in the shape of a disc, trying to land on its very center (diameter of 3 cm). The automatic readout of the distance between the first point of impact and the "dead center" establishes the jumpers’ results.

The competition goes over six qualification and several first-against-last "match rounds". Winner is the jumper with the minimum distance accumulated and all "match rounds" won.

The objective of Freestyle Skydiving is to record a sequence of freestyle moves and poses in freefall. The teams consist of a performer and a freefall cameraman. Exit altitude is 3000 meters; the working time is set depending on the teams’ speed in freefall. The competition consists of 7 rounds: 2 are "compulsory rounds" made up of clearly defined moves, 5 are free rounds, where everything is left to the team’s discretion. The compulsory rounds are scored for control, while the free rounds are scored for difficulty, execution, artistic and camera work. All scores are added and the team with the highest total score wins.

The four members of a team and a freefall cameraman jump from 3000 meters; the working time is limited to 35 seconds.
The team performs a sequence of formations and transition maneuvers, and repeats this sequence as many times as possible during the working time. The freefall cameraman records the team’s performance; the panel of judges on the ground evaluates the video images. One point is awarded for each formation completed properly before the 35 seconds elapse. After 7 rounds, the team with the highest total score will win. There are penalties for incorrect formations and/or incorrect transitions between the formations.

The following 2 events - even though falling under Formation Skydiving - are not featured in the World Games program :


Formation Skydiving (8-Way)
Teams are made up by eight members, accompanied by a freefall cameraman; jump altitude is 4000 meters, working time is 50 seconds. Everything else is identical to 4-way.


Formation Skydiving (16-Way)
Teams are made up by 16 members plus freefall cameraman. Everything else is identical to 8-way.

The other parachuting disciplines/events that are not included in the programme of the World Games Akita 2001 are :

The Canopy Formation events are rallying to make it to the next edition of the World Games. Maybe for Duisburg 2005, in Germany, it will be their turn.

Team members in a canopy formation are under open parachutes (canopies), not in freefall. Once out of the aircraft, they open their parachutes and proceed to build different formations by linking together. They connect by putting their feet on another parachute, on the parachute lines, or on another jumper's body.

Canopy Formation events are: 4-Way Rotation, 4-Way Sequential and 8-Way Speed.

In Freefall Style athletes perform a prescribed sequence of maneuvers in freefall as precisely as possible against the clock.

Freeflying lives up to its name: it's FREE, virtually unregimented falling through the sky. Freeflyers favor vertical freefall, either head-down, stand-up, even a sit position, as well as any imaginable movement in between.

Skysurfing is very close to freestyle skydiving in nearly all aspects ! Except for the board that is attached to the performing athletes' feet.

In June of 2001, the combined world championships of NEARLY all the different parachuting/skydiving events were held in Granada, Spain: 15 EVENTS! A complex sport !