Freestyle and Freefly /Skydiving are very spectacular to watch. In some degree Freefly and Freestyle take elements from other more traditional sports such as: gymnastics, dancing, diving, ice-skating, circus arts, acrobatics, aerobatics etc.. though they also present elements which are exclusive to Human Flight. Freefly and Freestyle choreographies are performed like no other sport in an all around breathtaking 3-dimentional stage: the sky.
The Team, in competition, exits the aircraft at an altitude of 13500 ft. AGL. The count-down starts at exit and the Team has 45 seconds to complete and create a stunning choreography from start to finish, before opening the parachute at 3000 ft. AGL and descend back to Earth. All is filmed directly in the air by the camera- flyer, also part of the team. The camera-flyer is able to film thanks to a digital video camcorder attached to the helmet, which works as his/her third eye. Camera-flyers goal is to constantly looking for the best angles from where to shoot and present the choreography. Together, camera-flyer and performers fly around each other creating a constant interaction. In Freestyle the Team consists of one performer and one camera-flyer.
In Freefly the Team is composed by 2 performers and one camera-flyer. While the Team is performing dancing/aerobatics/flying in the air, their jump and choreography is judged on the ground (through the video presented by the camera-flyer) by a team of judges and shown on a big screen to the public. The public is therefore able to see the Team performance as they would be up there with them. A commentator is also commenting the jumps to the public. The Choreography is judged on Artistic value, Technical Value and Video Composition. To note that it is the only existing Sport that involves a video score in the overall result! A very video-friendly Sport which invite a Team to find the best way to film its choreography.
(Stefania Martinengo, 1st School of Modern Skyflying FreeStyle World Champion, FAI Chief Judge, FreeFly Master Instructor, AD C#5)
