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BASE Jumpers Leap Off Royal Gorge Bridge

Event Part Of Go Fast Extreme Games

POSTED: 10:57 am MDT October 3, 2003
UPDATED: 10:49 pm MDT October 3, 2003

Have you ever wanted to hurl yourself off the world's highest suspension bridge? There are 26 daredevils who have been invited to do just that as part of the Royal Gorge Go-Fast Games.

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From Friday through Sunday skydiving enthusiasts will base-jump from the Royal Gorge Bridge, which spans 1,043 feet above the Arkansas River. It's the first time people are legally allowed to jump from the bridge in more than 20 years.

The base jumpers will use parachutes to help them land at the bottom of the gorge.

"The canyon's narrowness is what makes it so extreme a competition venue," said Go Fast Parachuting Director Jimmy Pouchert. "Not only is it narrow for maneuvering the parachutes, the winds are always tricky and the landing areas are really tight. It's truly the most extreme parachuting event ever held -- and why spectators are going to be treated to some of the most awesome parachute piloting in the world."

BASE jumping is an acronym for the four types of fixed objects that are utilized for these foot-launched skydives: (B)uilding, (A)ntenna, (S)pan, and (E)arth. Unlike parachuting from airplanes, BASE jumpers typically use only one parachute, as the much lower launch altitudes don't normally leave time to use a reserve parachute.

The extreme games also features BMX jump exhibitions on the bridge and speed climbing competitions on the gorge walls and on the bridge towers.

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