Skydivers set new British record – and then break it two jumps later

Andrew Ford and Skydive Langar

Skydivers set a new British record this week for the biggest ever sequential formation dive to take place in the UK – and then broke their own record two jumps later.

41 jumpers at Skydive Langar in Nottinghamshire combined to create two consecutive shapes in the sky – the largest number of Brits ever to do so. Two jumps later, they formed three consecutive formations and in doing so, broke their own record.

The record took three jumps to complete and included British national champions, world champions, world record holders, coaches and skydive instructors who jumped from three aircraft flying side by side at 15,000 feet.

Speaking of the feat, event organiser Will Cooke – himself a reigning national skydiving champion – said:

“It’s amazing to have achieved this new record and to hopefully inspire other skydivers to follow our lead and keep pushing the sport forward.

“We’re very fortunate to have some exceptional skydivers right here in the UK and to be able to bring them all together for this event was a real privilege.”

Formation skydiving is one of the first skills learned once someone earns their skydiving licence. It refers to the practice of falling belly to earth and taking hold of one another to create shapes, all while falling at speeds of around 120mph for up to 1 minute.

The new official record was set on 12th July 2023 and was overseen by British Skydiving, the national body for sport parachuting in the UK at Skydive Langar, near Bingham.