WATCH ABOVE: A camera was rolling as the team made its epic jump.
OTTAWA, Ill. – Travelling at speeds of up to 240 miles per hour (386.24 kilometres per hour), 164 skydivers flying head-down built the largest ever vertical skydiving formation on Friday over central Illinois in the United States, smashing the previous record.
It took the international team 13 attempts to beat the 2012 mark set by 138 skydivers.
The formation, resembling a giant flower, floated above Skydive Chicago in Ottawa for a matter of seconds before the flyers broke away, deployed their parachutes, and whooped and hollered their way to the ground to the jubilation of spectators.
It was no easy feat.
The team was selected after training camps in Spain, Australia and across the United States, with dozens of talented skydivers disappointed to not make the cut.
Seven aircraft were flown in precise formation to ensure that the jumpers de-planed at the right place, time and altitude.
The record-breaking jumpers exited at 19,700 feet (6 kilometres).
And no record could have been achieved without four videographers – also accomplished skydivers – who flew above, below and beside the formation so the judges on the ground had evidence that the record was achieved.
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