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Jerseyman, Simon Griffiths, placed 11th in the world and won the 'best newcomer' award at the International Speed Skydiving Association (ISSA) World Series Finals 2017.
Simon is a member of the Skydive Jersey parachuting club and is an experienced skydiver having completed over 700 skydives.
Speed skydiving is a skydiving discipline with a definition as simple as it gets and often hailed the fastest non‐motorized sport on Earth. Speed skydivers must adjust their body orientation and minimise drag to become as aerodynamic as possible and reach speeds as high as 480kmph (300mph). This year's World Series Finals were hosted at Dunkeswell in Devon as skydivers from across the globe competed for the fastest vertical free fall speed.
On his fastest run of the course, Simon achieved an average speed of 367kmph (228mph), diving from over 8000 feet above ground.
Mal Richardson, Skydive Jersey’s chief instructor said “This is a fantastic achievement by one of our local club members and the first ever representation of Jersey at an international skydiving event.
"To get a very respectable 11th place overall, beating a number of competitors from all over the world is a fantastic debut."
Video: Skydive Jersey's trailer posted on their Facebook page
Anyone with an interest in any skydiving discipline can contact the local skydiving and parachuting club through their website for more information and courses on learning to skydive are open to anyone over 16 years old.
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