DAY 6: SUNDAY – A DAY OF REST & OPENING CEREMONIES.

“I want all the sky divers
to have their best jumps,
so that the best may win.”

-              Prime Minister of Tartarstan
-              2010 World Parachuting Championship Opening Ceremony

We’ll do our best to oblige.  ;)

Breakfast of Champions Part 6 – Baked fish with boiled vegetables.

A quiet day today with a late start.  Our first hard-time of the day was the 1630 (4:30pm) bus to the Opening Ceremonies in Menzelinsk.  We hit the road in a bus with minimal air conditioning for a 50 minute sauna bath, er ride rather.

By the time we arrived, off loaded, and lined up for the ceremony, the skies unleashed a brief sun shower that foreshadowed things to come.  TEAM USA, the entire delegation, followed our flag into the stadium as an energetic crowd cheered on the competitors.  There was what can only be imagined as an Olympic feel in the air – knowing that the best in the world were marching into the stadium representing their countries in the competition soon to follow..

Many photos were taken and the coveted “William Otley Sword” was unveiled.  This is the Lambeau Trophy of 4-Way and 8-Way Sky Diving.

And it’s the reason why we came…

America’s own Arizona Airspeed hold the Otley Sword for 4-Way.

The French are the current holders of the Otley Sword for 8-Way.   All indicators are the 8-Way competition will be a tough fight between the French, the Russians and the United States.

THE CEREMONY BEGINS

Heat lightning highlighted the skies as the obligatory speeches were given.  There were singers and Dancers in ornate traditional Russian dress.  Very cool.  Not to mention the kick-boxers and a parachute demonstration.

As the music played on, the storm clouds rolled in and we left the stadium with thunder serving as a crescendo to the music.  We had almost escaped the downpour, except that the meal was planned and prepared for the drop zone about 5 minutes from town and by the time we arrived, it was a mad dash for the tents.

What was scheduled to last until 2130 was completed by 2015 and we quickly ate and jumped back on the bus for the ride home knowing that tomorrow counts…

LOOKING FOR RESULTS?

For near real-time results of the 8-Way competition CLICK HERE.

“Dobry Noche!”