Style and Accuracy: Whilst essentially two different disciplines they are often combined at competition level. Both are centred around precisness, style being conducted in freefall and the accuracy relating to the parachute descent. In this Article we introduce you to both disciplines.
Style and accuracy are known as the classics. They are the original disciplines of parachuting and are focused on technical excellence in terms of preciseness. These two disciplines go hand in hand.
What is style?
Style and accuracy are called the ‘classics’, and are the traditional aspects of the skydiving and parachuting world. Style requires a high level of flexibility and control, similar to that of the high diver or gymnast. It is concerned with the ability to precisely perform a number of " moves " in Freefall.
What are the ´moves´ are in style?
Also known as ‘speed style’ (in order to distinguish from Freestyle), you perform a sequence of moves: 360-degree turn, 360-degree turn, backloop, 360-degree turn, 360-degree turn, backloop. When this sequence is carried out, it is called a ‘series’. The idea of style is to perform the series as quickly and as technically accurate as possible. So this means, your backloops are perfect, your turns are perfectly on heading etc. Top style jumpers can do a series in about 6 to 7 seconds. This means that each 360 degree turn takes about half a second!
There are four different ways:
• Left Set......................360 Left turn, 360 Right turn, Backloop (repeated)
• Right Set....................360 Right turn, 360 Left turn, Backloop (repeated)
• Cross.........................Left turn, Right turn, Backloop; Right turn, Left turn, Backloop
• Reverse Cross............Right turn, Left turn, Backloop; Left turn, Right turn, Backloop.
Different equipment, clothes?
Many competitors in Style choose to wear very close fitting, lycra suits. These tighter suits allow for less drag (making for a faster time) and mean that a minimal movement in freefall has a maximum result- clean, fast turns and loops.
How do you progress in style?
Starting and then putting on the brakes to stop on heading achieves a faster turn. Also, the transitions between the turns and the backloops can slow you down. Many stylists have experience in Formation Skydiving, and are therefore practiced at turning in place very quickly. Other people who start off in style have found that there fast, in place and on heading turns are a great asset to a formation skydiving team.
Style for competition?
In competition, there are 5 rounds. The first four consist of the left set, right set, cross and reverse cross. The fifth series is a series chosen by the competitor. Usually, these competitions are filmed from the ground. The scores are produced from the time that it took to complete the series, and penalty points awarded for incorrect performance or deviations (for example if a 360 degree turn is not stopped on heading).
Competitions? Top UK in style?
Jeff Chandler and Esther Reynolds are currently the top UK stylists- they competed in June 2004 at the British National Parachuting Championships.In the 2004 World Parachtuting Championships, held in Croation, 1st place went to Dmitry Maksimov (Russia) and Irena Avbelj (Slovenia)
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Accuracy
What is accuracy?
The discipline of accuracy is traditional in the world of skydiving, and the idea is to have a precise a landing as possible by sinking the canopy onto the target.
Different equipment, clothes?
Some people competing in accuracy choose to wear a specially designed accuracy jumpsuit. This jumpsuit usually does not have grips, is close fitting (made from polycotton and spandex). The reason these suits are close fitting, is to reduce the chance of excess material touching the electronic pad that the accuracy is recorded by and to give you clear vision to the disc.
To have complete control over the canopy whilst making the accuracy approach, competitors use a specially designed canopy. This has a slower descent rate, and more gentle response, giving the user the maximum amount of time for them to position themselves correctly on their approach. The canopies are also larger- from 230 to 300 square feet. Top class competitors have specially designed shoes, or modifications on their shoes that allow them to hit the disc with their feet to strike the pad more accurately and cleanly.
How do you learn accuracy?
During your AFF course when learning to skydive, you will not have been taught to land on a precise target- this is due to the possibility of target fixation which can lead to being unaware of hazards around you. As you progress in the sport of skydiving, you will find your canopy control naturally gets better due to experience. There are also many canopy control courses available which will teach you more about learning to fly your canopy. If you are looking to get into competing, there are certain specifics with regards to wind direction and landing pattern.
Accuracy for competition?
Accuracy is judged by an electronic disc of 3cm in diameter that the competitor has to land on. This
disc is placed on a big inflatable mat 5 metres in diameter, called a tuffet. You do find teams competing in accuracy, their scores are combined and the team with the best score wins. In the international competitions, the competitors compete alone, but it is the country they are representing, so the nation with the best combined score wins.
Competitions? Top UK in accuracy?
Carl Williams ( Our BAP AFF Examiner who is on staff ) and Katherine Andrewes are currently the top UK at accuracy, they competed in August 2005 at the British National Parachuting Championships.
World Champions.
In the 2004 World Parachtuting Championships, held in Croation, 1st place in accuracy went to Damir Sladetic (Croatia) and Keging Wang (China). However, the World Record is held by Sergueï Vertiprakhov of Russia who scored 14 dead centres in a row.
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