January 4, 2006

The international World Team ’06 meets January 28 through February 9, 2006, in Udon Thani, Thailand, to attempt a 400-person freefall formation. The event is part of the Diamond Jubilee celebration to honor the 60th year of stable rule in Thailand under King Bhumibol Adulyadej.  The giant formation, as large as an athletic field, will be built with each person in pre-declared positions, according to the rules of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, in Lausanne, Switzerland, for an aviation world record. Jumps are scheduled for as high as 25,000 feet from Lockheed C-130 aircraft.

The international skydiving team includes aircraft, crew, and skydivers from the Royal Thai Air Force and skydivers from more than 40 countries. Their success would top the World Team’s own February 2004 FAI world-record 357-way formation over Tahkli, Thailand.

The FAI record series concludes with a 960-person mass drop into the soon-to-open Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to set a Guinness World Book record, also held currently by the World Team.

The world’s longest-reigning monarch, King Bhumibol has much to celebrate about the progress of the country. His government’s crop development programs have enabled Thailand to become the world’s largest exporter of rice. Poverty has dropped by half to 12 percent since 1992. Stories abound about the love of the Thai people for their king.

This event marks the first time skydivers have attempted to break the 400 mark. The team’s 357-way eclipsed the 300-way record set in 2002 in the United States, showing that with international talent, seasoned organization, a solid plan, and support from a capable host, the World Team could do it.

More information is available at: www.theworldteam.com.  Images and arrangements for on-site interviews with World Team staff, organizers, and jumpers are available from Kevin Gibson, World Team ’06 Media Director, (703) 380-0549 (U.S. east coast) or via email