French jumpers set for sweep<\/p>\n
LIDO, West Java (JP): France maintained its superb form
\nyesterday for a possible clean sweep of the Sixth World
\nParachuting Championships on Canopy Formation.<\/p>\n
Although strong winds caused the organizers to stop the
\nsorties, France has maintained its chance of winning the overall
\ntitle when the biennial meet concludes tomorrow.<\/p>\n
Competing teams managed only to make the sixth jump in the
\nfour-way sequential, the seventh jump in the four-way canopy
\nformation, and the sixth and seventh jumps in the eight-way speed
\nformation event.<\/p>\n
With just one jump left, defending champion France combined a
\ntotal time of 237.12 seconds in the eight-way speed formation.
\nComing a distant second was the United States which clocked
\n256.98 seconds.<\/p>\n
Host Indonesia, which was represented by the Air Force's and
\nthe Army's Special Forces, managed 784.95 seconds. They are last
\namong the six teams competing in the eight-way speed formation.<\/p>\n
France confirmed its mastery with two record-breaking jumps on
\nTuesday and Thursday.<\/p>\n
The four-way sequential also belonged to the Frenchmen, who
\nhave performed a total of 68 formations in seven jumps.<\/p>\n
Each team has 120 seconds to display as many formations as
\npossible.<\/p>\n
Defending champion the United States, whose record of 16
\nformations in a single jump two years ago in Australia remains
\nsecure, trailed France with 57 formations.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian team, represented by the Aves Club from
\nBandung, West Java, brought up the rear with 10 formations in a
\nsingle jump. The Indonesian team underwent a one month training
\nstint in the United States prior to the championships.<\/p>\n
In the four-way canopy rotation, France and Italy stayed
\ncanopy-to-canopy after seven sorties. The French managed a total
\nof 142 rotations, just one rotation ahead of Italy.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, program coordinator Ahmed Solihin said free falls
\nby the Air Force Special Force and the winners of each category
\nwill cap-off the closing ceremony tomorrow.<\/p>\n
"We will also invite the Canadian team to take part in the
\nceremony," Ahmed said.<\/p>\n
The colorful Canadian team, wearing yellow and purple
\njumpsuits to match their parachutes, drew mounds of applause from
\nspectators because of its difficult maneuvers.<\/p>\n
The closing ceremony will also feature traditional dances and
\nart performances like kendang rancak and debus.<\/p>\n
A bogey above the Borobudur and Prambanan temples in Central
\nJava is planned for Monday and Tuesday. (yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/french-jumpers-set-for-sweep-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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