The drop zone here at Netheravon is always a hive of activity throughout the year, but over recent weeks it has been even busier, culminating with the 19th Armed Forces Parachute Championship which ended on the 24th August. As always we battled the elements and the summer weather did not exactly behave, but managed to complete all the disciplines at the eleventh hour!
Jason Hughes RE winner of AFPC Overall Individual Senior with General Paul Cain
The Championships saw 157 competitors and 47 teams challenge each other over five disciplines from all three armed services, including a ten strong team from the Sri Lankan Army.
As well as both individual and team events, disciplines included Canopy formation; 4-way Formation skydiving; Artistic freestyle and Wingsuit acrobatics. Particularly outstanding this year, were the British Army Voltage and British Army Titan teams who both medalled during the Championships.
Voltage walked away with gold medals and The Daz Gardiner Sword in the Junior (A) 4-Way Formation Skydiving event whilst the Royal Engineers (Titans) were recipients of the Free Fly Cup and gold medals on Free Fly Category B.
The lucky winners received their trophies and medals from APA Chairman, General Paul Cain, ably supported by Col Mark Lyndsey-Smith and Rear Admiral Matt Briers, RN in what was, as always, a very competitive and good natured competition.
However, none of this would be achieved at all without the support of Team Army. This sponsorship enables the APA to support our two British Army skydiving teams with the aim of both teams medalling at the Nationals in 2019.