JFTC Daily Events

Woman's World Record Photo & Video Update

2005-10-03T10:28:00.000-07:00

The NEW Woman’s World Record has been completed!

Skydive Perris
September 30, 2005
151 Woman
held the modified pinwheeel formation for 4.8 seconds!!!

Watch the Video: WMV
and see Photos below!

Downloads:
Larger Image: JPG

Final Update! by Kate Cooper

2005-10-02T10:25:00.000-07:00

Greetings
The week is over, JFTC--the skydiving event--is done, although JFTC the charity event is now just hitting stride. As of 10:00 am yesterday morning we had raised over $480,000 and fully expect the final numbers to top half a million dollars.
I went to the dropzone yesterday at the 'crack of noon' which was, evidently, par for the group. Roger and Fernando organized some very nice 30+ ways all day while others opted for smaller dives, wing suit loads, tunnel time and freeflying. More than one lady was slightly "under the weather" as a direct result of the heady combinations of French Champagne, Russian Vodka and Mexican Tequila that were being passed around freely during the victory party. If anyone finds a pair of size 10 (yeah, I know) New Balance running shoes they are still missing from when i was thrown in the pool--and joined by about 20 ladies quickly thereafter.
Our outstanding team of videographers had huge photos of the completed formation posted--one per camera--and the women were massed around them finding out which one showed them the best. The Cameramen also donate their images--so participants can get photos at greatly reduced costs.
Carolyn Dufur was busy signing up people for the JFTC yearbook. She came down--again, a volunteer--and spent teh entire week taking photos on the ground and interviewing women. The result will be a yearbook--like highschool--but documenting the entire week in candid ground and air shots. Many of the participants are buying several books to use as Christmas presents or to present to their supporters. I can't wait to see it.
Last night were the closing ceremonies. A nice dinner by the pool where the dropzone, pilots, support crew and managements were honored and cheered on. The loudest cheers came for Olivia--the littlest water girl. Olivia is the 5 year old daughter of one of the british participants and she spend the entire event shuttling bottles of water from a ice filled chest out to the girls as they were packing in the oppressive heat. Her tiny voice shouting "wat-ah, get your fresh wah-ta....." ringing across the dropzone.
It was also our annual Polyester party, meaning that all the Good Will and Salvation Army outlets within 30 miles had been depleted of their brightest, tackiest, and funniest clothing from the '70's and '80's. DAncing by the pool continued on well past midnight as the new World Record holders celebrated once again.
Today is travel day for most of the participants, people are leaving the DZ to head out to the various airports to work their way home. It is strange to me that tomorrow is a MOnday. I've been at a DZ now for over 10 days--jumping every day. That has become the norm--and a good norm it is. Sitting behind a desk and answering a phone will be strange--especially since I'm managed to basically lost my voice (finally)...
It's over. Until next time. Skydive Perris Rocks. JFTC rocks. YOU ROCK!
thanks
oxoxox
kate

JFTC DONE!!! Woman's World Record 151 Way!

2005-10-01T12:04:00.000-07:00

Greetings )(written Friday evening but sent Saturday late morming)
Quick note. More updates tomorrow. Probably. But....
A new Women's World Record was set at 4:35 pm, 30 September. 151 way held for 4.8 seconds.
YEAH!
We did 5 jumps, each better than the last. The fourth was a completion--but only from one camera view and only for one frame. Legal by the new rules but we decided to go up and do it better---and we did.
A lot of VERY happy women in Southern California tonight.
thanks for your thoughts and energy. Check the blog(s) out for more updates.
Much LOVE!!
kate

By George, I think THEY'VE DONE IT!!!

2005-09-30T16:20:00.000-07:00

I can't comment officially, but I arrived on the dropzone just in time to watch the final load of the day go up! The planes were synchronized and the attitude on the ground was hopeful. I am sitting on the grass by the runway.. the girls are POURING in now, cheering and clapping. It was a beautiful sight and it was so exciting to see!!! Photos are on their way of course.. but I believe.. it's OFFICIAL!!!!!! Champagne is on it's way!!!

Reporting to you from the DZ...
Your faithful web mistress...
Dawn Suiter

Day 4 Done! by Kate Cooper

2005-09-29T23:59:00.000-07:00

Greetings
I would tell you I'm tired but saying that four days in a row would probably constitute whining. and I don't want a "whiners card" thrown at me.
Short version. 5 jumps, no record.
Long version. Oh. So. Close.
The dives run together in my addled brain--I can't really break them down for you--but I'll tell you that on 3 of the 5 jumps today I though we were going to build a record. honest. That close. Two things are killing us. Levels and fall rate. These are contributing to slow and/or sloppy builds and red zone collisions. We got four jumps in before our 16:00 cut off (sun in the pilot's eyes) and then decided to squeak another in right at sunset, when the sun was low enough not to be a hazard for the pilots. The last jump--complete with So Cal Approach instituted go around at 16,000', was the closest. 6 out of 9 whackers built. A fall rate back-pack issue in the yellow quadrant stopped the other three from building.
But this dive was oh-so-quiet. I was getting excited!
Today was also media day. In Dante's circles of hell a special one must exist where you are followed around my television crews who are sticking microphones and cameras in your face while you are trying to do your job. Inside Edition was the biggie today--we've been promised a 7 minute segment--1/3 of the show. The crew was actually very nice--they even declined to film one of our ladies who had twisted her knee on landing whenI asked them to focus on the positive aspects of the story.
We've had a lot of landing injuries. Too many. I'm not quite sure why--landing stereotypes aside. We've had dead no wind in the morning, followed by steady laminar winds in the afternoon. We have 3 women being helped out to dirtdives on crutches now. Too many. A lot of malfunctions too. I'll have to study this to see why the mal rate is higher than on other big way events (and women's events) we've done in the past. Puzzling. Both my back up rigs are being jumped on the record now--I may not get the one with the Pilot in it back :-) she likes it....
It was hot today--over 100 degrees. Brutal. But the team did a great jump keeping hydrated and cool. Our support group was great. One man spent hours doing nothing but submerging his hands and arms into a bucket of ice water and then giving neck and shoulder massages. Trust me. It was eye -rolling good. He said he couldn't feel his hands for hours afterwards... Sacrifices.
After the 3rd jump we saw a recurring problem with the outer three way pink lines. They were problematic on the build. We had a marathon session with our plane captains plus Tony and Roger and did a dive redesign--a brave thing to do 11 jumps into the event. We brought the anchors on the center of the pink four way lines back into the 3 way lines--forming a 7 way line. The plan was to help the build of the 7 way lines and to give some extra room for the 6 way lines. It worked. The two jumps we did with the new formation were 95% better than all the other jumps we did.
Everyone has docked now. All of the whackers have, in turn, shown that they can dock for 3-7 seconds easily. The record is in reach.
I was really hoping we would get it today--we had champagne on ice and we were hungry for both the record AND the champange, but it's looking like tomorrow will be the day. If it's in the morning we'll have some seriously drunk girls by about 9:00 am in Perris valley..... Keep your cell phones on--you might be the ones getting the phone calls!
I keep hoping I'll be able to update mid day--the entire dropzone is 'hot' with high speed wireless, but I haven't had 2 minutes to spare from 7:00 until 22:00 or more.... Maybe tomorrow... Hopefully tomorrow. DEFINITELY tomorrow!!!
Until then....
blue skies, pink suits
kate

Day 4 Photo & Video Update

2005-09-29T23:57:00.000-07:00

Larger Image: http://www.jumpforthecause.com/photos/G7XF2360.jpg

Larger Image: http://www.jumpforthecause.com/photos/IMG_9474-OB.jpg
Download Video: http://www.jumpforthecause.com/photos/050929JFTC.wmv

Day 3 Done!! by Kate Cooper

2005-09-28T22:17:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a day.
I've never been surrounded by a group of big way skydivers this talented, motivated and FUN. We're having a blast here.

We started, as promised, at 7:30 am. The pilots had a bet going that 157 women wouldn't be ready on time.
they lost. We were not only ready--we were early! Thank goodness Starbucks in Perris is open early!

We had a good jump, but chilly conditions and extra clothing affected fall rate, and it wasn't complete. Down and breakfast. Yummm. Jumping before breakfast is great.

Jump 2 was great. Almost all of the 70+ way base complete, and for the first time--4 of the 9 whackers docked. Wow. This is a great progression. Santa Ana winds were picking up so we did a pack and pull--virtually no debrief--just get back in the air as soon as possible.

Jump 3 was better. The base DID build and 5 of the 9 whackers docked. Unfortunately one of the camera men fell off a plane on climb out, effectively emptying two of the back trail otters. The 4 whackers that did not build where these two otters--all out 6-7 seconds before the base exited. EVERYONE who was in the air at the right time docked though--incredible.

Jump 4 was post lunch and post wind hold. Winds gusting to 18 so we backed off. it's great having two strong safety minded people like Tony and Roger on the ground while we are in the air. We make a pact that if the winds get dangerous they will call all 8 planes down--no questions asked. If we get the green light to jump--we are safe. That is valuable.

I made the speech to the gals that following a great jump with a better jump is the most difficult thing to do in skydiving. Unfortunately Jump #4 proved that right. It wasn't horrible--better than #1 even, but no where near the par that had been set by later jumps. We needed to FO-CUS.

We had time to get jump #5 off before our 16:00 cut off. Climbing up energy was high in our plane. Our base exit was the base yet--I could even freefly from my legstrap grips up to the wrist grips, rather than the "first one then the other" that we had been doing. Leslie Gale is opposite me in the base and we are having a wonderful time communicating with each other in freefall.

Well, remember that I had said that following a great jump with a better one is hard? Well, the opposite holds true--we had a very good 5th jump. 70+ way base complete again, and 3-4 whackers docked. One whacker self imploded while looking around. At one time during this jump--about 30 seconds into it--I thought it would build--but level differences between the whackers and the base put a slight turn into the formation which kept it from building successfully.

All in all an excellent day. I truly believe we are within 6 jumps of goal right now--and it could be any jump. Tomorrow morning we have the same early start time and I have a promise from all the 70+ way base that no matter how cold it is we will not bulk up with heavy warmer clothing that might affect fall rate. Nothing thicker than light spandex. I'm by the door too. I forsee shivers in my future--but it will be worth it to get a new world Record.

I had a wonderful dinner with the Norwegian team and am ready to attempt to get some sleep tonight, although I hear that it is highly overrated on these World Record events :-)

We are now 8 jumps into the event, with one jump effectively a zero by the camera man starting an early exit--and I can smell victory. I've packed the good tequila to take to the DZ tomorrow, and champagne is on ice. If it doesn't happen tomorrow---it isn't far away.

Wish us luck
We are having fun.
blues
kate

Day 3 Photo & Video Update!!

2005-09-28T19:13:00.000-07:00

Larger Image: http://www.jumpforthecause.com/photos/G7XF2188.jpg
Video: http://www.jumpforthecause.com/photos/050928JFTC.wmv

Day 2 Done!!! by Kate Cooper

2005-09-27T23:59:00.000-07:00

Greetings
day two done.
Good day, no--let me rephrase--GREAT day. We started record dives today. 158 ways. 8 aircraft. blue skies.
We made three jumps--each better than the last. Nice incremental improvements. We already have some whackers docking after 3 record attempts--that is fantastic.

Had a problem with the Monterey Otter on Dive 3 (while starting).. Scrubbed the jump--got out--Dan Cook (manifestor Dan) was on the phone and we had a second Otter from Elsinore landing at Perris 10 minutes later. It's nice living here. The visiting jumpers were suitably impressed. So was I.

We can't rotate later than 4:30 pm. We need to use East to West jumpruns because of the amount of time it takes to line up 8 aircraft and that is the only direction we can get airspace long enough. Late in the afternoon the pilots are flying directly into the setting sun. Our floaters are also seeing the same picture. As a result our first jump tomorrow will be at 7:30 am. We meet with full gear at 7:00 am, jump, then go and have breakfast.
At the rate we're going I think we could easily have the record tomorrow or Thursday. Of course anything can happen, but I know that Roger Ponce and Mallory have some side bets going on which jump number we'll finish on and both are low numbers.

The energy is high, the talent level is higher, and the support we are getting from every person on the dropzone--from manifest to food to the volunteers who are making sure we get water during dirtdives is highest. This is good.

too tired to write more.
oxoxox
kate

Day 2 Photo & Video Update

2005-09-27T20:50:00.000-07:00

Larger Image: http://www.jumpforthecause.com/photos/IMG_9168.jpg

Larger Image: http://www.jumpforthecause.com/photos/G7XF2074.JPG
Video: http://www.jumpforthecause.com/photos/090527JFTC.wmv

Tuesday September 27th, 2005

2005-09-27T19:34:00.000-07:00

Great day! Very neat completion on the 3rd jump today - everyone was in position. Look for completion by 3rd jump tomorrow.

Day 2 and off to a great start!

2005-09-27T10:40:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!
It's day 2 and the action is well underway! The Official World Record Attempts are going on right now in the skies over Perris. The first load went up just moments ago and eyes at the dropzone are turned skyward as they watch the newly reconfigured Woman's World Record formation build (see Day 1 DONE! by Kate Cooper below).

Stay tuned for the latest information here! And don't forget to watch the Perris Loading Cam to see what's happening RIGHT NOW at the DZ!

Good luck everyone!!!
Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Safe Flights,
Dawn Suiter
your faithful web mistress

Day 1 DONE! by Kate Cooper

2005-09-26T23:59:00.000-07:00

Hi all,
I'm almost too tired to type, but let me try and capture the day in a few sentences before stumbling off to shower and bed.

Day 1. We have 159 women on site after the hurricane, motorcycle accidents, and personal drama have lowered our counts. The Germans finally made it sometime last night/this morning after a 24 hour hold in transit from Frankfurt to here. They still had smiles on their faces. Team Norway hands down won the best dressed award, showing up for opening ceremonies in matching outfits and shoes and, I've been told, underwear although I did not personally inspect that. The Germans also have matching shirts. Great spirit. Mallory and Lambchop opened up the event, Richard gave a talk (and song) and off to the dirt dives we went.

Three groups. A 70 way base (run by me), and two 40-50 way groups--each run by Tony and Roger with volunteers laying the base so the whackers could dock on them.

My dive was out of 5 airplanes and we were first group going. Our first jump was great. One early person in a wrong slot caused some chaos and mayhem but most of the gals were in, although struggling with fallrate. I'm wearing about 20 pounds in the base and we are setting a mid 120's fall rate although it is low teens by the outside. We need, I think, to have the entire 70 way going at 118 or so to allow the whackers time and comfort to dock.

Jump 2. More of the same. Grips off a completion. one lady a bit lost docking about 10 seconds after the most of the rest of the gang, still working on getting fall rate.

Jump 3 was up and as we ran in, at 16,500, I looked down and saw nothing but white. Completely jumpable many places in the world, but I'm not going to put a 5 plane formation load through clouds. The green light goes on, and horrors--the trail planes start climbing out even though they are supposed to wait for a signal from the lead plane. I abort the jumprun and close our door (skyvan) hoping this will send a solid message through. All but two floaters made it back in, but the two, one camera and one jumper, fell off to do solos. Oh well. Back on oxygen for a go around and I go up to talk with the pilot. It's closing in but he thinks we can be put--with visibility, near the airport. Run in and this time the abort comes from the pilots. Back up for conference. Again--he thinks there is a hole. Run in--we've been above 16,000 feet for over an hour now--and we don't even get a green light. Third times the charm and we're landing. Jeez. An hour at altitude AND I have to land in a Skyvan. One of the trail planes had girls puking from the excitement and tension. It doesn't get much more fun that that.

Get to the ground and work on plan b--dirt diving the 160 way--and then the clouds open. 5 minute call for our load--we're up, on jump run--with clouds climbing from 11-16,000 feet all around us, and YES--I see the DZ and our hole. Out and go. Great skydive--but one area, behind me, didn't close, not sure why. Land and see people pointing up. Sure enough. There is a canopy at about 14,000 feet. Extraction on exit. Doh. Mental note--discuss pin checks and climb out sequences. Marie is fine, landing about 10 minutes later and we pack.
Now for the dirt dive. One gal had a bad landing so our numbers are down to, I think, 158. We reconfigure the formation and exits, do a frenzied jumpsuit share program since one of our jumpsuit vendors hasn't delivered a dozen suits or so, and get the picture ready for the judges. Tomorrow morning we start record dives.

I'll update tomorrow.

Until then.....
blue skies, pink suits
kate

Day 1 Photo & Video Update!!!

2005-09-26T21:02:00.000-07:00

Larger Photo: http://www.jumpforthecause.com/photos/G7XF2074.JPG
Download Video: http://www.jumpforthecause.com/photos/050926JFTC.wmv

Monday September 26th, 2005

2005-09-26T19:27:00.000-07:00

Jump for the Cause started bright and early at 7 AM. We had a buffet breakfast followed by opening ceremonies. The girls quickly divided into assigned practice groups. The base 65 way - led by Kate Cooper, went to full altitude with oxygen on their first jumps. Other groups, led by Roger Ponce and Tony Domenico, practiced building wackers.

The base practice groups built consistently to 60 ways while the wackers practiced their dives without standing skydives.

The Jumping Has Started!!!

2005-09-26T10:47:00.000-07:00

Day 1 BEGINS!!

2005-09-26T07:44:00.000-07:00

Can you feel it? I can feel the excitement all the way over here in Tennessee!

The day is off to a beautiful start as you can see by the Loading Cam photo I grabbed from www.skydiveperris.com this morning.. the sun is shining, and the Opening Ceremony is well underway.

The Bombshelter opened at 6:30 am bright & early ready to serve Breakfast to a couple of hundred hungry JFTC'ers. Today all participants are now on the dropzone & ready to start jumping. The first dirt dive will start in approximately 15 minutes and then the World Record Attempts will begin!!!

Lots of luck & safe flights to EVERYONE involved.

Blue Skies,
Dawn Suiter
your faithful web mistress

It all begins Tomorrow!!!

2005-09-25T07:53:00.000-07:00

Skydive Perris is alive with excitement today as the dropzone begins to fill up with Pink participants! Registration started yesterday and continues through tomorrow morning at 8 a.m.

Opening Ceremonies begin at 7 a.m. tomorrow morning and the first Dirt Dive starts promptly at 8:15 a.m. The first attempt at the 167 way Woman's World Record will begin at 9 a.m and will continue through Sunset, and all through this week.

The weather forecast for this week is still looking great with Sunny & clear skies, so we're off to a great start!

I want to take a moment and thank everyone who is involved with this wonderful event, and for those of you who are unable to make it out and watch all this live, thanks for staying tuned to our daily blog! Your support is greatly appreciated!

Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Lotsa Love,

Dawn Suiter
Your faithful web mistress

Saturday was a great day!!!

2005-09-24T23:15:00.000-07:00

Goodie bags have been stuffed, thanks to the wonder woman who have volunteered their time.

We have started with registration and about 25 gals have signed in already. We're looking forward to more to arriving tomorrow.

2 Days & Counting! Registration Begins....

2005-09-24T10:13:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!!!

It's the Saturday before JFTC and spirits are high! Airports all over the world are checking in lovely participants on their way to Perris, CA! Today's preparation activites include a Goodie Bag stuffing party at 12pm and JFTC Participant Registration beginning at 3pm.

The Flying Angels program is now closed! Each cozie, handmade by Bev, is on it's way to Perris and the final roster can be found here http://www.jumpforthecause.com/FlyingAngelRoster.gif

The forecasted weather report for the 167-way Woman's World Record, includes nothing but Sunny skies, temperatures in the upper 80's and low 90's with little to no chance of rain! A BIG THANK YOU to mother nature for her cooperating during this much anticpated event!

That's all the news for now, stay tuned here throughout the event for the latest updates, announcements & happenings!

Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Lots of Love!

Dawn Suiter
Your faithful web mistress

JFTC Daily Events Updates

2005-09-20T08:35:00.000-07:00

Daily updates will be brought to you as soon as possible each evening throughout the event!