THE CHINA MAIL, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1958.
NOW A NEW SPORT-SKYDIVING Record Entries Expected
Aerial Acrobatics Until
The 'Chute Opens
By THOMAS HICKMAN
New York.
Parachuting and its latest offshoot, skydiving, is a new sport in the United States which is growing, literally, by leaps and bounds. Skydiving is the technique of maintaining absolute control of the body in a free fall and performing birdlike aerobatics until the parachute opens. Instead of whirling through the air for about 30 seconds or more in an uncontrolled fall, the skydiver faces the earth with arms qutstretched and uses his arms and legs to control his flight as he describes figures of eight and other complicated manoeuvres in mid-
air.
循
The new sport is spreading rapidly of American universities where skadenta predict that it will sweep the cuntry, just as ki-ing did in the 1020's, Of eleven parnebuting clubs formed in the United States last year. five were at leading universities, These are already holding Inter- college skydivini; competitions.
Foremost proponent of the new craze is Mr Jacques Andre Istel, n French-bory former Marine officer and Vice-President of the Parachute Club of America, who says " is actually safer than skin diving, ski-ing or motor- cycling
Mr Istel estimates that there are now about 1,000 ammateur parachutists itt The United States, about four times the nuruber in 1956, and he says that the number is increasing dnily
for training paratroopers and many national and state officials are urging that the rules be adopted as the basis for official control of the sport.
training in Cyprus and the Suez Cenal Zone.
of East
Mony enthusiasts are former paratroopers, but most had never Jumped before without a statle Under the rules a parachutistline parachute which opened us must pass medical examina- they tell from the aircruft
ftecently, a professional sky- tion every year, must be at least 21 years of age, or 18 If parental diver, George Stone corisent is obtained, and must Lake, Ohio, gave what he be- radio to be the Best use equipment which conforinslieved to club standards, The rules broadenst made during free also require that training be parachute fall. He jumped from carried out under strict super-10,000 feet with a 60-1b radio- viscon and that the Civil telephone strapped to his body. Aeronautics Administration and As he left the aircraft, he gave stopwatch set- state and local authorities be his altimeter
then as he criss- fold in advance of all parachutengs and
crussed the sky before his para- Jumps planned.
chute opened, he sang "The mon on the flying trapeze" into his microphone.
Equipment includes two air- worthy parachutes, boots, helmet and overalls.
His Equipment Recently, one of New York's Farges department stores devol- He intradevil, the skydiving ed a large window to a display tehoique In the United States
of a fully-dressed dummy para- afler attending the 1956 con-
chutist cl hly equipment. ference, in Vienan, of the Inter-
During the week It was dis- national Parachuting Commis-played the store had many in sion, which was making prepainquiries from interested passers- tions for last year's world para- | by and crowds continually chuting championships in Mos- cow. He returned amazed at the Gathered outside the window.
popularity of the new sport in Europe, and even more astonish
strides which ed at the pront
Soviet Union France and the had made in developing new techniques and in promoting parachutingg
weekgad pastime.
AS
1
Target Jumping
While both countries had 1- ways bren leaders in precision tarted junga, their technique of aliydiving was completely now to American jumpers. The con- ference decided to give as many polats al the championships for this new technique as for target- Jumping
Before leaving Europe, Mr Istel accepter a French Invita- tion to undergo a month of inten- Live training under the French champion. Mr Sam Chusak, and be came back to the United Stes determined to pass on the new technique.
United First, he taught States team which completed training in Fratice on
to the
way championships, to the astonishment of French parachu, tible who had declared that sky- diving could not be mastered,
by
necomplished
even
un
parachutist, in less that three
months.
The United States team finish- cd xtt and the French team fourth, in a field of ten.
There are now 18 enthusiastie skydiving clubs in the United States and all are affiliated to the Parachute Club of America, the controlling body to which a prospective parachutist must be- long before he is introduced to a member club for traluing.
Membership Fee Membership is 50 dollars (about £17 sterling) a year and ft costs a parachutist about six dollars (over £2) a jump, ör about half that price if he has bis own equipment. Full equip. meat, including two parachutes, one of which is worn on the chest for emergencies, costs about 400 dollars (over £2001.
Training procceds cautiously The novice gets his Orst lessons the groupd und then graduates to the static line parachute which opens automati. cally, as he leaves the aircraft. The novice must take five statie line jumps before he is per mitted to make his first tree drop from no less than 2,000 feet, using a ripcord to open his сапору
on
Skydiving is only for the ex- perienced jumper.
According to Mr Istel, 38,000 French elvillans made 75,000 Jumps last year without a single fatal accident. He explains that the body is not controlled during a free fall, it will spin like an out-of-control aircraft at a rate of as much as 150 turns as minute, and may cause Vic This parachutist to black-out.
has been the cause of 95 per cent fatal accidents iu
of the parachuting.
Amateur parachutists in the United States scoff at the idea that a strong physique or rigor- ous training are needed for the sport. Three members of one parachute club at Cambridge, Massachusetts, are slightly-built
Parachule The
Club of America has drawn up safely rulca for the sport and is trying to win official recognition for them. The United States Army has already adoptail these rules
American universities have hell two official competitions, so One of their most ardent fur,
dvoentes of the new spart is bearded British exchange student from Trinity College, Oxford-John Allen, a former British paratrooper
who made his Arst jump from a captive balloon at 800 feet and later jumped with the 18th Inde Lendent Parachute Brigade la
Another parachute enthusiast and former paratrooper had no
Nominate YOUR
Hongkong Footballer Of The Year
Members of the public are invited to nominate Hongkong's Footballer of the Year for the current season.
West Indies Need 218 Runs For Victory
Georgetown, Mar. 18. Only a completo collapse to-
morrow can prevent the West Indies winning the fourth Test against Pakis- tan here to clinch the five- match series.
The West Indies, who are need two games up, #lready 218 more runs for victory with
It is a popularity poll organised by the China Mail, and nomination coupons will be accepted until the closing date to all their second funinga wickets be announced later.
The two qualifications for nomination are:
(1) Footballing prowess.
(2) Sportsmanship on the field of play. Nominations should be addressed to the Editor, China Mail, Wyndham Street.
To the Editor, China Motl,
My nomination for Hongkong's Footballer of the Year, taking into account his playing ability and his sportsmanship on the field of play 18;
of the
aircraft and could not afford to hire one. He parachuted 107 feel from the Richmond-San REIGNING CHESS Rafael bridge in California to
CHAMPION WINS the water below.
Parachuling, while new as a sport, is not new in itself. LeOK.-
ardo da Vinci sketched designs. for parachutes in the 15th cen- tury, but it was a Frenelman, Andre Carnerin, who nude the est successful parachute drop from a talion, In Paris, 1797.
FIFTH GAME
Moscow, Mar. 18. Regning World Chess Cham- pion Vassilly Smyslov torly won the fifth gane of his 24-game would championship
series former against challenger and govern-world champion Mikhail Bolvinnik on the 41st move, Radio Moscow reported,
Smylsov's win reduced Bot-
(Signed)
Club.
Sports Diary
TODAY
Badminton
Culony Senior Championships: Men's Singles, Mixed
Double, Recrela 7.30 pm.
TOMORKOW Achteller HKAAA Executive Committee Meeling. Education Dept., 5.30 pm.
swimming HKASA Executive Commitee
intuct.
Pakistan were all out by tea today for 318, their last five second innings wickets Lalling for the addition of 122 reus, This left the home alde to make 317 to win, and Conrad Hunte and Rohan Kanhai put
them on the victory path with Partnership of 99 by the close.
sound, unbeaten aperung
D
Feature of The Pakistan innings was the dour lock by Wazir Mohammad, the number four balsman, who ran out of partners when only three short of u century. West Indies splaner Lace Gibbs claimed five wickels for 60,
408 and
Scores: Pakistan 318; West Indies 410 and
for no wicket,
The Scoreboard
PAKISTAN
1st Innings ----
408
WEST INDIES
1st Innings - 410
PAKISTAN - 2nd Innings
Indiaz, b. Gibbs
Sacud, run out
Hanif, c. Modray, b.
Glichrist
Alimuddin, 1w, b. Smith Walli, Mathias, ibw. b. Gibbs Kardar, c. Smith, b. Gibbs Fazal, c. Alexander, b.
France now has ten ment-supported pornchute train- ing centres where 1,000 civilian students are in training The Soviet Union is estimated to vinnik's lead to 3,5 points to have million trained civilian 1.5 points,Botvinnik won the Mesing, BCM. Post Lad, Boardroom. Wuzle, not out parachutists, of whom about first three games of the series 25.000 are competent skydivers, and the fourth was drawn.**** -China Mail Special.
France-Presc.
MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN
THESE
SPEAKING OF SMALL SMALL MERCHANTS MERCHANTS THE GROCER HASN'T AREAFRAID DELIVERED OUR
TO REPORT
THE RACKET
ORDER, ILL
PHONE HIM.-
FERDINAND
NANCY
MAMA, I'M NOT GOING TO PAÍ
YOU MUST
--SH-
THOSE HOODLUMS
HERE
FOR PROTECTION ANY MORE. THEY'RE
RUINING US--
THEY
COME-
MAKE IT SNAPPY, D COPPERS MAY BE BUZ AROUND HERE.
12
14
41
18
* =%མྨཱསམྨནྟུ
In Milan-San Remo Classic Cycling Race
un-
Milan, Mar. 18. Veteran Italian cycling ace Fausto Coppi and speedy Belgian rider Willy Vannitsen, suspended for justifled abandonment of the Paris-Nice race last week, will not be allowed to start in the Milan-San Remo classic tomorrow.
Vannitsen, one of the top Jean Forestier of France, Bel- favourites for tomorrow's race, glum's Raymond Impanis, tho and Coppi were suspended bo- | Italians Niño DeßUppis, Gastono enuse they dropped out of the Nencini and Ercole Baldini, Paris-Nice raco on Saturday Britain's Brian Robinson (who morning and then took part in | Anished third last year) and the Tour of Tuscany on Sun-Ireland's Shay Elliot. day while the French race was Deryckte won the race in 1955, still running.
De Bruyne won it in 1930 and Vannitsen won the Tour of Poblet won li last year, with Tuscany in a sprint finish, with | Dobruyne second. France- Coppi close behind in the main | Pressc. pack.
Despite the absence of these two tracks, the Milan-San Remo race is expected to have a record number of sturters—over 200-
amond them
of the many worlds best road racers,
Sprint Finish?
1960 Olympics Expected To Break All Records
If, as is generally forecast, the race ends in a mass sprint Anish,
Rome, Mar. 10. Belgian speedsters Lik Wor The number of nations at- Steenbergen, Germaine Derycke, Į tending the 1980 Olympics is Freddy Do Bruyne and Rik Van expected to break all records, Looy, France's Andre Darrigode | organizers said today. and Spain's Miguel Poblet Olym c committees of 29 appear to have the best chances nations have announeed partl of winning. bad weather cipation already, with 30 months conditions over the comparatively to go before the Games start,
at 175-mile course would give |the organizera said, a chance to another group of riders.
But
All 20 will compete in track and field, 28 in boxing, 26 in cycling. 23 in wrestling, and
This group Includes Louison Bobet, Raphael Germinland and Basketball, 22 in fencing, 21 in
Eddie Choong Likely To Win All-England Title Again
London, Mar. 18. 56 Eddie Choong, the short but extremely agila Malayan who has won the Mon's Singles title four times in the last five years, scom destined to carry off the title once more when the Badminton All - England Championships begin at Wombley, London, to-
Gibbs Rahman, run out Nazimul, e and b Gibbs Hasib, b. Gilchrisl
31
2
22
ຄ
07
13
318
Extros
5.30 p.m.
Badminton Colony Open Champlonahi pa CCC starting 7 pm.
at
Total
By Lee Falk and Phil Davis
NEVER MIND THAT, PHONE, SETTLE WITH ME ARST. PM-IN A HURRY
PAL NOT GOING TO PAY YOU --- ANY MORE~/
POPPA~!
By Mik
DOWN AND LOOK AT THE TALL BUILDINGS TODAY
BUT PEOPLE THINK YOU'RE A HICK WHEN THEY SEE. YOU LOOKING
UP
By Ernie Bushmiller
I'LL PRETEND
I'M TAKING NOSE DROPS
I THINK I'LL GO
JOHNNY HAZARD
LOGAN JOHNKY'D REALLY BEEN HIT BY LIVE AMINO! AND WE'RE OVER NORTH KOREAI
-ERNIE
BUSHMULERI
There's More than Magic
about CADBURY'S
Will Trang
They're Wonderful
'YOUR VACATION STARTS AS YOU STEP ABOARD SWISSAIR
DAIRY BOX
with the
wonderful centres
morrow.
own 08
Choong, out
on his the world's top player since pro- Wong Ping-soon turned fessional three years ago, won the men's singles trophy out- right with his fourth victory Now he hopes to jast season. be the first to have his name on salver being put
a new silver
be Finn
up for competition by the Eng- Badminton Association. He main rivals are likely to Kobbero and Erland whom Kops, both of Denmark, Choong beat in the 1958 and 1957 floals respectively", but
other there are several
oul standing players who could ex- tend him.
The women's
seems
cut and
singics 0150
dried. Miss Margaret Vorner, winner in 1055 and 1966, and Mias Judy Devlin
both the holder,
of fight America, should
it out for the tle. Britain's big hope In this event is third seeded Miss Heather Ward of Surrey, best British prospects in услек
again
But Miss Ward will have to beat both Americans to take the championship.-France-
Presse.
riding, rowing end gymnastics, 18 in soccer, canoeing and walerpolo, 10 in held hockey and 15 in Modern Pentallion.
Organizers said only оле nation has announced that it will be unable to compete. Its name was not revealed. They Enid preliminary information from the remaining 61 nations indicate that overall attendance will be well above any previous Olymples.United Press.
Valentine's
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Very Fine воднас
FLEW SOUTH AND
THE AMIO WAS...
BUT LOOK WHERE THE SUN IS OUR COMPASSES AKE OUT OF WHACK- SOMEHOW? NEAD BACK... FAST!
By Frank Robbins
AND AS THE MOVIE PLANES WHEEL AROUND,
KITTY LAGS BEHIND!
POTTYJKITTY,
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FORT
I'M STICKING! 'SONG TO TRY LANDING AND PICK JOHNNY UP!
AUSTIN!
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