174 Skydivers Set New World Record at Skydive Chicago
Historic skydiving achievement
Field Note Submitted by:
Sheerin Diaz
On August 22, 2025, the sky above Skydive Chicago in Ottawa, Illinois, was the stage for a spectacular display of human coordination and skill. A global squad of 174 elite skydivers completed and held a massive, head-down Vertical Skydiving Formation, shattering the standing world record. This landmark event, years in the making, set a new standard for extreme aerial sports and emphasized the critical role of precision in achieving the impossible.
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Observations
Historic skydiving achievement
Teamwork in skydiving
Thrilling freefall experience
Stunning aerial formations
Community of skydivers
Safe jumping environment
The Record-Breaking Jump: Where and When
The event, which was the culmination of multiple intense training camps and attempts, took place at Skydive Chicago, a world-renowned drop zone famous for hosting large-scale record attempts. The successful jump occurred on the final day of the window, August 22, 2025. The attempt required the complex coordination of nine aircraft flying in a tight formation to deploy the 174 participants simultaneously. Jumping from an altitude of over 19,000 feet (nearly 5,800 meters), the skydivers faced thin air and extreme speeds, leaving them with a working time of roughly 60 seconds to exit the planes, navigate to their assigned slots, dock, and hold the formation before the mandatory break-off altitude. This achievement officially surpassed the decade-old 164-way vertical record set in 2015, marking a significant leap forward in the sport.
The Technical Challenge and Ultimate Precision
The discipline of Vertical Formation Skydiving (VFS), where skydivers fly either head-down or head-up, demands an exceptional level of individual skill and collective synchronization. The difference between success and failure often comes down to mere inches and split seconds. To form a connected 174-way structure moving at speeds often exceeding 180 miles per hour, every jumper must execute their fall, track, and dock with uncompromising precision.
The skydivers train extensively, not just in large groups but in smaller cells, mastering complex approach techniques to ensure a smooth, stable, and high-speed rendezvous. The design of the formation itself was novel, prioritizing stability and the ability for the outer layers to dock efficiently and hold their grip. This meticulously engineered approach is what ultimately allowed the global squad to link up flawlessly and hold the formation for the required observation period, showcasing the pinnacle of aerial precision.
A Global Squad and Community Triumph
This record attempt was truly a global undertaking, with participants hailing from over 20 different countries. The commitment required for an event of this magnitude—involving travel, logistics, and weeks of intense preparation—speaks volumes about the camaraderie and passion within the skydiving community. Skydive Chicago's state-of-the-art facilities and experienced staff provided the essential logistical backbone, ensuring a safe and productive environment for such a complex, high-risk endeavor. The successful completion of the 174-way is a shared triumph that will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of flyers to pursue even larger and more ambitious vertical formations.
Conclusion
The 174-way skydive at Skydive Chicago will forever be etched in the history of extreme sports, not just for the numbers involved, but for the flawless demonstration of technical mastery and precision required to execute it.
