Locals Set State Skydiving Record

Hurtling towards the earth at 160 mph, five women, including three locals, set a Virginia skydiving record for the largest all-female formation while upside down. 

The record-setting inverted leap happened on July 30 at Skydive Orange in Orange Va. The five skydivers jumped from more than 2 miles above terra firma, and in a 40-second freefall window executed a series of formations before breaking away to pull their chutes.

According to Fredericksburg resident Laura Wagner, who participated in the jump, the whole idea to set the record came about as a joke, but the preparations were no laughing matter.

"We just randomly came up with it, but it ended up coming together," said Wagner in an interview. "It takes a long time to learn, and requires a lot of skill - like dance or gymnastics. You're moving at very fast speeds where every small move has a consequence."

A video of the event, captured by Spotsylvania skydiver John Elmore, shows the five skydivers rehearsing their motions with a ground run. Instead of a high-altitude airplane, the skydivers practice exiting a wooden frame next to an airplane hangar. On the ground it looks like an awkward dance. Only in the air does it assume a plummeting grace. 

Hurtling towards the earth, a group of three, Lisa Eckman, of Severn, Md., Shonda Smith of Fredericksburg and Melanie Curtis of Casa Grande, Ariz., leap from the plane holding on to each other by the hands. 

The trio expands into a circle, joined on the outside by Wagner and fellow Fredericksburgian Nancy Koreen, who seem to effortlessly glide into formation, linking arms with the others like two rays. Then, the circle opens up, and fighting the wind, Koreen and Wagner are enveloped into the formation. Then, the formation reforms, with Wagner briefly clasping hands with Curtis before the entire formation breaks apart to pull their chutes. 

The jump was verified as an official state record by the U.S. Parachute Association after reviewing footage.