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BASE NEWS from Europe by Douggs

Although the weather has not been on our side for much of this season, it has so far been a great one for the advancement of BASE jumping world wide. Here in Norway we get to see many jumps and have the opportunity to push new boundaries safely. This is exactly what has happened. Aerobatics have still been going strong here with some amazing stuff shown by Jeb Corliss and Tony Coombes, but for most people this year it has taken a back seat to wing suit flying and body flight. Some amazing tracking skills have taken place with the Super Trackers going further than ever before. Jon Inge from Norway has even tracked over the Light House here in Kerag, which 2 years ago was a mean feat for most wing suit flyers. There has been more studies into airflow surrounding the human body and we have been able to make changes to our tracking positions to maximize our own performance. One of the latest innovations is that Robert Pecknick formally from Birdman has started his own new company PHOENIX and has released his new Phoenix Fly Pants and Jacket. Every jumper should own a set of these. They have amazing power and hugh amounts of forward speed to create maximum lift. Phoenix will also be releasing a new wing suit the fall which will be the best one on the market yet. His new stuff is all time. Check out his website at www.phoenix-fly.com There is a new rig on the market from Morphious Technologies. It's called the Gargoyle Wingsuit Extreme. It is the best rig out there designed with the latest aerodynamic technology for maximum performance in all aspects of BASE. They have teamed up with ATTAIR and the TROLL Canopy to provide the best complete rig on the market today. It will take alot to beat their gear. Check out www.baserigs.com On the Aussie front, there has been an amazing amount of Aussies here this year and a lot are fairly new to the BASE scene, but doing suuper solid jumps in true Aussie fashion. There have been a few landing injuries with the Aussies, probably because the landing areas over here are too big and there are too many options. They will be back in no time. We were able to complete a Aussie record here this year. We completed a 16 way which is the biggest way ever done in the world by one country. With everyones input on safety and my Big Wall jumping experience we were able to make it go off without a hitch. The visuals of seeing 16 mad Aussies in the air was all time. Everyone involved did an amazing job and there is room here for and even bigger way next year. Well done guys. You ROCK!!! There was also a chicks 9 way here this year which is the current womens world record. It also went off without a hitch and looked very cool. Well done to all the chicks for setting the standard for the future. There has also been plenty of pure fun stuff going off in Norway such as the classic toss off's, the progression of 40 students and some good, safe aeorbatics. We had one lucky escape for an Aussie this year because he was wearing his Cookie Helmet and chincup. For those who don't know, Steve Anderton (Big Gay Steve) is a very good skydiver and super skilled experienced BASE jumper pushing the limits of BASE jumping around the world. In an unfortunate accident, Steve ended up hitting a hugh rock on a downwind landing with a 10knot taii wind after having his leg cutway jammed for a moment. He suffered a badly broken leg and a badly cut face. His chincup was completely smashed from the impact and without his Cookie helmet on he would have sustained a badly broken jaw and lot more possible head injuries. It just goes to show that if your not wearing a Cookie, your just a dirty high pulling rookie. That's all from me in Norway, Stay Hard, Stay Low and whatever it takes, Stay SAFE Douggs (:<

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