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Record-breaking number of gliders colors Bali sky
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All set -- A paragliding athlete (right) prepares his parachute during the event held by the Indonesian Aerosport Federation in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Oct.16. (JP/Stanny Angga)
A
s many as 144 paragliding athletes jumped off the Gunung Payung cliff top in Nusa Dua, Bali, and flew over the Indian Ocean in a record breaking event organized by the Indonesian Aerosport Federation (FASI) on Sunday.
As the gliders enjoyed the birds-eye view of the breathtaking Bali skyline, scores of spectators and supporters lined the steep cliff under the blistering sun, watching the colorful parachutes fly above the blue ocean of the island's most southern tip.
Held in conjunction with the 110th General Conference of the International Aerosport Federation (FAI), the event also featured an attempt to break the Indonesian record of most simultaneous hang gliders with 25 participants on Timbis Hill and paramotors with 30 participants on Mertasari Beach.
The event has been recognized by the Indonesian Record Museum MURI as having the largest number of paragliders, defeating the previous record in 2009 that involved 99 participants.
"We record this as the 7,445th record in MURI. In the previous year, FASI has also recorded some achievements, including 77 paragliders flying together on July 7, 2007, followed by 88 paragliders flying together on August 8, 2008, and a similar event involving 99 participants in September 9, 2009. All of the events were held in Bali," said MURI executive manager Sri Widayati
Gunung Payung and Timbis Hill are prime spots for paragliding on the island, attracting many tourists who seek to experience tandem flights while enjoying scenic views of the green hills and the blue ocean from above.
