104-Year-Old Aims to Break Record as World’s Oldest Skydiver

A 104-year-old Chicago woman Skydiver is aiming to be recognized as the oldest person to ever skydive after leaving her walker behind and making a tandem jump in northern Illinois. Dorothy Hoffner made the jump at Skydive Chicago in Ottawa, about 85 miles southwest of Chicago, and was greeted by a cheering crowd upon landing. “Age is just a number,” Hoffner declared after her jump, as reported by the Chicago Tribune.

The current Guinness World Record for the oldest skydiver is held by 103-year-old Linnéa Ingegärd Larsson from Sweden, set in May 2022. Skydive Chicago is now working to have Hoffner’s jump certified as a new record by Guinness World Records, according to WLS-TV.

In related news, Erin Honeycutt from Michigan recently achieved the Guinness World Record for the longest beard on a living woman.

Dorothy Hoffner first skydived at the age of 100. On Sunday, she left her walker behind just before boarding the Skyvan plane and was assisted up the steps to join the other skydivers.

“Let’s go, let’s go, Geronimo!” Hoffner exclaimed after taking her seat.

During her first skydive, Hoffner needed a push out of the aircraft. However, this time, tethered to a US Parachute Association-certified instructor, she was determined to lead the jump from 13,500 feet (4,100 meters).

Displaying calm and confidence, Hoffner moved toward the plane’s open aft door, revealing tan crop fields far below. She shuffled to the edge and leaped into the air, tumbling headfirst out of the plane. Hoffner completed a perfect forward roll in the sky before stabilizing in freefall, with her belly facing the ground.

“Wonderful,” Hoffner said. “It was wonderful up there. The whole thing was delightful, wonderful, couldn’t have been better.”

After her jump, Hoffner’s thoughts quickly shifted to future adventures. The lifelong Chicago resident, who will turn 105 in December, mentioned she might take a ride in a hot air balloon next.

“I’ve never been in one of those,” she remarked.

 

Source

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/02/guinness-world-record-oldest-skydiver-dorothy-hoffner

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