Day 6 Switzerland: 4way Competition Heats Up and Rain

Today has been the same as the last 5. What is a typical day at CISM? Well our days start out at 0600(6am). Its getting ready for the day, breakfast and to the drop zone by 0715. Once on the drop zone, the Team walks to the gear storage area to get the various parachutes and jumpsuits. Its a quick setup of the tents and wait for the first lift to be called. Depending on which event is going to be first, the Team willd dirt dive or “creep” the jump. Most mornings have been hectic because we don’t get the jump event until we receive the 15 minute call. Then gear up, head to the loading area, jump, and pack the parachute. If the Team is doing 4way event, they will go dirt dive and creep the jump. This is repeated all day long.

In between jumps, we find ways to pass the time. Most of us have gotten hooked on a game the Denmark Team brought called “Kings” or “Vikings”. Its a fairly simple game. Five blocks on either side of the playing field about 20 feet apart. Six wooden dowels are used to knock the other blocks over. Once all the blocks are not knocked over by an opponent, he then can knock over the castle looking block. All the Teams on our side of the dropzone have played, its something we all will take home with us and begin to make our pieces. SSG Ryan Ray made sure we got all the measurements to make the game. When we aren’t playing Kings, its kicking a soccer ball, frisbee or football around or just talking to the other Teams.

During the day, many trips to the scoring bulletins are made, checking the jump scores and rankings for each event. For lunch we are driven back to the barracks to eat, then quickly back to the drop zone. Usually we have about 45 minutes to catch lunch. We finish out the day of jumping when the competition organizers release us. We then head back to the barracks to have dinner. Most of the time its 1830 or later before we get back. Then its free time and bed.

Thats a typical day here at CISM. Saturday we are scheduled to have a “cultural” day in the morning. Tomorrow is supposed to be the last day of competition but we got rained out today and didn’t get our last jumps in. So hopefully we can get them all in tomorrow.

Now for todays action. The women’s team completed 2 rounds of accuracy and 2 rounds of 4 way. The girls are currently in 1st place at end of 7th round. They lead the French team by 2 points with just 2 rounds to go. Its been a battle with the French since the second jump. On the 2nd day of competition one of the French jumpers broke her foot on a accuracy jump and was out for 2 rounds. She came back and jumping with a cast. These last two rounds will be close. The French team also recorded a new women’s world record with 30 points today.

The men completed one round of accuracy and one round of 4way today. They are currently in 5th place and 8 points out from 4th going into the 7th round.

As mentioned, we were rained out this afternoon. The rain came in around the mountain and we could see the rain drops across the airfield. The sight was impressive as the clouds swarmed around covering the mountains. Since we couldn’t jump we decided to stop by each country and deliver our gifts. Since the motto of CISM is “Friendship through Sports” we took time to introduce ourselves and talk about the competition.

One more competition day left. It is going to be a fast pace day and exciting with the battle for 4way gold.