Two jumpers in gear at the back of the exit ramps,
The starter will ask…
“Jumper A ready?” – confirm,
“Jumper B ready?” – confirm
Jumpers take your starting position at the edge.
The starter begins countdown, “5 – 4″
A single signal is repeated 3 times, bip, bip, bip
Welcome to the World BASE Race
Envision two men standing on wooden platforms at the edge of a mountain cliff. Each man is dressed in what appears to be a flying squirrel suit. At the signal, they jump and race head-on to the finish line, deploying their parachutes and gliding to a safe landing. Mind blowing? Extraordinary? A testament to man’s intestinal fortitude? Innovative genius? A sporting event unlike any other in the world? If you answered yes to all of the above, then let me introduce you to an event that P.T. Barnum would have billed as part of “The Greatest Show on Earth”.
It’s been four years since I first wrote those words regarding the World BASE Race of 2009. Base jumping was new to me and wingsuit racing was new to the sport itself. Co-founder and former director of the event Paul Fortun spoke of the race becoming the greatest public party for the athletes and spectators alike.
If the caliber of athletes, gear and number of spectators gathering pre-race day is any indication, I’d say there’s about to be one hell of a party.
To all the athletes have a safe race.
Enjoy last years teaser video.
~Cynthia Lynn Chronicles~ 