Over the Easter weekend, Brianne Thompson and Niklas Daniel of AXIS Flight School organized the first ISSA World Cup Series Event in the United States at Skydive Arizona. The International Speed Skydiving Association is an group of Speed Skydiving enthusiasts and a non-registered not for profit organization with the goal to develop the sport. Speed Skydiving is an exciting discipline where athletes attempt to achieve the highest possible vertical speed in freefall, making it the fastest non-motorized sport on earth. The ISSA World Series 2024 consists of seven separate meets around the globe. The overall result is the sum of the two best meet results for each competitor regardless of the number of events completed. The competitor with the most points at the end of the year is declared the ISSA Speed Skydiving World Cup Series Champion 2024. Every participant competes against each other performing solo jumps. At the end of the competition scores are applied to the following categories: Open, female, and junior (24 years or younger).

Some of the major benefits of the Speed Skydiving discipline are its inclusivity and accessibility. AXIS offered a speed skills-camp a few days prior to hosting the ISSA event. For some it was their first skydiving competition experience. The competition utilizes the FAI rules, which gave participants insight as to how the USPA Nationals will feel later this year. While the bleak weather forecast deterred several participants from attending the drop zone got started early, allowing the competition to complete 4 out of 8 rounds.

In the open category, Niklas Daniel took gold with an average speed of 508.77kmh and highest scoring round of 512.26kmh (318.30mph). Brianne Thompson came in second with an average speed of 477.43kmh and highest scoring round of 481.11kmh (298.95mph). In addition, Brianne set a female Arizona State record with an absolute top speed of 487.655kmh (303.01mph). Third place went to Brandon Herrington with an average speed of 409.54kmh and highest scoring round of 413.35kmh (256.84mph). In the female category, Brianne took gold, followed by Emily Quinn who secured silver with an average speed of 359.69kmh and highest scoring round of 368.41kmh (228.92mph). Competition results can be viewed at: https://next.skyderby.ru/events/speed_skydiving/112

The competitors received goody bags with assorted swag from AXIS Flight School’s sponsors as well as medals provided by Skydive Arizona. In addition, all participants received an ISSA global ranking which can be viewed at: https://www.issa.one/issa-world-cup-series-2024/

AXIS Flight School gives thanks to Skydive Arizona and its staff, Donna “Coop” Bachler for judging, and Jochen Althoff for providing technical support. Speed measuring devices were provided by FlySight. AXIS will host a second ISSA World Cup Series Event at Skydive Arizona on December 06 – 10, 2024. To learn more about speed skydiving, schedule coaching, and or register for the December event, visit https://axisflightschool.com