CISM Parachuting Tournament and 55th Spanish Military Championship Commence with Exciting Day 1
SAN JAVIER (ESP) - The CISM Parachuting competition activities have returned to the esteemed Airforce Academy in San Javier, Spain, a venue with a rich history in military parachuting. The event, organized as a full-scale military parachuting tournament resembling a World Military Championship, has attracted CISM parachuting teams from 10 nations. Under the supervision of the Spanish Chief of Delegation and Board of Directors member, Colonel Jose Carlos García-Verdugo, and the Director of Sports in the Airforce and member of the Superior Council of Military Sports, Colonel Pedro Diaz Herrero, all preparations, including technical installations, judges, logistics, and protocol details, have been meticulously arranged in accordance with WMPC rules. An Official CISM Representative, Navy Captain Spyridon Andriopoulos, has been nominated, and the Preliminary Meeting witnessed the assembly of the Jury of Appeal, comprising Chiefs of Mission from Germany, Korea, and Morocco, along with the Anti-Doping Commission.
The tournament kicked off on July 15, with the opening ceremony held in the evening following the arrival of the participating teams. A total of 21 teams proudly marched onto the parade ground, creating a captivating spectacle. In his speech, the OCR expressed gratitude to Colonel Pascual Soria Martínez, the Director of the General Air Force Academy and commander of the air base of San Javier, as well as the civilian representatives of the city, for their warm hospitality. The High Counselor of the Town Hall of the city of San Javier, Dña. María Dolores Ruiz Jiménez, extended a warm welcome to all participants and officials, highlighting the beauty of San Javier's town and beaches.
Major General José Luis Figuero Aguilar, the commander of Servicio Histórico y Cultural del Ejército del Aire and an experienced freefall skydiver of 40 years, delivered the traditional declaration of the event as officially open. In his personal address to the skydivers present, General Aguilar emphasized the importance of strengthening the bonds of friendship and understanding among paratroopers. He highlighted the essential role of teamwork in freefall jumps and expressed his belief that parachuting championships provide the perfect ground to bring the CISM motto, "Friendship Through Sport," to life.
The first day of competition, July 16, commenced with a training round but encountered a halt in the Accuracy discipline due to ground winds exceeding 20 knots. In response, Meet Director Capt Jose Luis Lomas Albaladejo, during the team leader meeting, made the decision to conduct a Formation Skydiving exit training jump and proceed with the first round of FS. In the male Formation Skydiving category, the specialized team from Qatar took the lead with 27 points, closely followed by Spain with 23 points, Turkiye with 22 points, and Morocco with 21 points. In the female Formation Skydiving category, Korea secured the top position with 22 points, trailed by Morocco with 20 points and Spain with 12 points.
In the evening, at 18:30, the first round of Accuracy Landings began. However, as the Murphy’s law prevail, just as the first team (Turkiye) approached the target, the winds picked up, resulting in four out of the five team members receiving a rejump. Subsequent teams also faced winds close to or exceeding the limit, leading to multiple rejumps for each team member.
Due to the incomplete round, the first comprehensive accuracy ranking list will be available on day 2, subject to favorable wind, weather conditions and the presence of Mr. Murphy.
Despite the challenges faced on day 1, participants and organizers remain hopeful that the tournament will continue smoothly, embracing the spirit of competitive camaraderie and friendship through sport.
(Source: CSC Parachuting)
