AMBO HAS DROP ON AUSSIE RECORD
A TWEED Coast paramedic is the new Australian speed skydiving record holder, registering an eye-watering 524km/h at the World Parachuting Championships (WPC) on the Gold Coast.
Shane Turner, 35, who has only been skydiving for three-and-a-half years, registered the fastest jump of the competition. He finished with an average speed of 495km/h, coming second overall to Germany’s Thomas Moritz Friess with 499km/h.
The world speed skydiving record was set at 601km/h in 2016 by Swedish skydiver Henrik Raimer, who placed fourth in this competition.
Speed skydivers jump out of a plane at a height of about 4km, going headfirst “like an arrow’’ and entering into a one kilometre vertical race window that ends 1.7km above the ground. Devices worn on competitors’ hips record their speed.
“I’m ecstatic, it’s so overwhelming, words can’t even describe how it feels,’’ Mr Turner said.
“I’ve gone worlds above what I was expecting. Every jump I kept doing personal bests and I couldn’t be happier. I’m looking forward to doing more in this sport.’’
Turner’s first speed skydiving competition before this event was the Australian Nationals in March where he finished sixth with a speed of 446km/h, earning him qualification to the WPC.
He will be presented with his silver medal at the closing ceremony of the competition at Sanctuary Cove resort today.