The first 40 way EuroRecord Head Down Formation ever officially recognised by the FAI, was achieved in Spain on the 15^th of June 2007!

Organised by BaByLoN Freefly and supported by Skydive Empuriabrava the event was a huge success on all levels.

The main objective of the EuroRecord event was to break the unofficial record of 28, set two years ago and to build on that, which was achieved firstly with a 30 way, then 36 way records being set the first day and then a 40 way becoming the last official jump of the event.

The success was counted and celebrated in all areas of the EuroRecord event. Along with getting that BIG WAY, BaByLoN’s own set aims were to run the event well, to attract a good number and high level of participants, to form a team with which to build both a strong formation and to create a positive and purposeful group with wonderful team spirit. These primary driving forces were serious elements to be cheered, and clearly the main factors in the success of the record and the overall event.

Another area of great importance was the formation used to build the jumps. BaByLoN group members with the help of Fabian Raidel chose to go away from the more commonly adopted freefly pattern used last time, instead using a 4 way base, double pods, and also borrowing some elements of construction from the formations used in big way relative work jumps.

The other aspect of technical difficulty was the aircraft and the flying formation. Using eventually three aircraft, 1 twin otter, 1 beechcraft 99 and a pilatus porter, the skills and team-player attitudes of the pilots was evident and we thank them for their careful pre planning and their willingness to adapt as we needed.

60 flyers from 13 nations registered for the event, among the 40 way record flyers there were 10 nations represented, 12 French, 10 Brits, 8 Italians, 3 Germans, 2 Spanish, 1 Swiss, 1 Austrian, 1 Belgian, 1 Dutch, and 1 Norwegian.

Well done to all the participants that attended both the training days and the record attempt days. The team feeling was evident and the level of flying had also increased dramatically since 2005.

What was wonderfully obvious was how many of the participants that had attended in 2005, but not been included on the actual record jumps, had conscientiously set them selves the task of building their skills levels over the past 2 years to be able to be included on this one.

Many of the flyers this year, not actually included in the final record jumps expressed their happiness to have been part of the "Team" and to have been able to learn so much.

The sentiment was summed up by one Swedish flyer who was not part of the record jumps, when he was overheard to say, "I set my own personal big way record this week by jumping with 23 people in a safe formation... something I never thought I could have achieved."

From a safety aspect, Rolf "Kuri" Kuratle, one of the BaByLoN camera flyers commented, "I was impressed that through the whole week I never got into a situation where I could see any problems with approaches or break off and the level of each flyer’s sense of personal and team responsibility was strong and secure and made the camera work so much easier."

The below comments from Andy Newell, one of the flyers on the record jumps, explains well the prospective of the flyers and the ambience of the event.
"The record attempts were organised by Team BaByLoN, the current World Freefly Champions and the BaByLoN Freefly School.

Steff Fardel, the founder of BaByLoN, acted as the main focal point of both the organisers and Euro record group, providing direction and ultra positive attitude that enthused the group to act as one entity, one team!

Pre training went extremely well with the group being split into two smaller groups of around 16+ flyers on day 1 and then into larger groups 20+ as more flyers started to arrive on day 2.

The first Official attempt day arrived! The group reached exit altitude, made an entrance into the airflow and built a 30 way held for around 6 seconds on the first attempt!!! The first official euro record had been achieved. The perfect start! The group had it all going for them, the raw skill, the passion and a clear direction. It came as no surprise that after a few more attempts at bigger and better formations the group then achieved a second record in the afternoon!! A 36 way that flew strong and clean for around 5 seconds. Things were getting better and better and the group’s confidence was growing.

Things were about to get even bigger. The next day the group was ready to go again with a 40 way being the focus of the next attempts. There was a good vibe in the air and the group stayed strong and focused throughout the day. Attempt after attempt the group came closer and closer to achieving the goal. With Steff commenting on each formation at the debrief "It was a nice jump, we can do better, lets go again!"

The last jump of the day felt good with the pods building super fast and clean on the super strong base directed by Vincent Reffet. The group looked around to see a solid formation with Alec Cotton last diver taking the last grip.

The formation was initially hard to judge, but just before break off, Tom Naef, BaByLoN cameraman, got the shot. It was a close cut thing with everybody landing and asking the question did they get it?! Finally Steff called for the de-brief and there was uproar as he told the group they had broken the record!!!! A 40 way! Europe’s flyers did it!" ( Andy Newell).

Thanks and respect go to all the Skydive Empuriabrava’s management and staff for their generous support and accommodation of our needs; without their help BaByLoN could not have organised and presented such an occasion for all of Europe’s best to work together and achieve the team success.

Thanks and gratitude also to AIRTECH and Rob from CYPRES for their hosting of our party and their positive support and to Pep Lagares of Metalquimia, a passionate skydiver, and to all the amazing people who did it with us. Thanks for having faith in a big bunch of freeflyers!



For info on the DVD of the training and record jumps, visit WWW.OUTFACING.COM This news report was compiled and edited by Benigale Richards from OUTFACING

Our Photo Gallery has been updated with some great photos from the event and more... click here to take a look!