Fri 18 December 09

Nick Batsch set a new distance world record on his JVX 77, at the 5th FAI World Cup in Canopy Piloting Championship in Carletonville, South Africa.

During the first few days of the competition we saw the distance record fall. PD Factory team pilot Jay Moledski pushed himself and his canopy to the 175.92 meter mark. We all thought that this was it. Jay had increased the record by almost 6 meters over the record Nick had set at the 2008 World Champs.

A day later the next distance rounds continued with Nick Batsch on his JVX. He made his approach and did his smooth 450° turn. As he pushed it through the Icarus and Daedalus branded entry gates, there was a slight correction as he entered and started his well known climb, floating his canopy high above the crowd.

With the JVX and Nick doing what they do best, he took back the record. By putting himself and his canopy down at the 181.70 meter mark Nick reclaimed the distance World record.

At the end of the day it was a great battle for the top position at this World Cup. The canopy pilots putting their skills to test, showing the rest of the world how it is done. We watched the distance and speed records fall and new ones set. We saw some of the best canopy pilots battle trying conditions and saw a lot of zero scores posted, something that is almost unheard of at this level of competition.

We saw a great battle between two brands of canopy for the distance and speed records. At the end of the day the best of the best represented their countries and their sponsors.