AS THE Cyprus skydiving team prepare to head of to the Czech Republic for the World Cup Championships, they are still hoping to secure sponsorship to cover their costs.
The team have the backing of KOA, the Cyprus athletics association, but they are only providing a percentage of the teams’ outgoings.
Skydiver, and Cyprus’ national team cameraman, Pelham Georgiades said: “Our entry into the competition is part funded from KOA, but we will have to cover the difference from our pockets, unless we can find sponsors.”
Georgiades said that although time was of the essence as the championships commence on August 30, there was still time for companies or individuals to help support the Cyprus team.
“The team all love the sport and think it’s important for Cyprus to be represented at a national level, so if we have to, we will cover the cost ourselves,” he said.
He said that the Cyprus skydiving team was made up of four crewmembers and a cameraman.
“We’re going to represent Cyprus in the four-way formation sky diving world cup in the Czech Republic,” he said.
Previously Cyprus ranked 21 out of 23 teams at the event, but Georgiades was quick to point out that Cyprus has only been competing for the last five years at an International level.
“I was competing as part of the four-way team until two years ago, and now I’ve become the official cameraman. My purpose there is to film the jumps, and then my footage is given to the judges, to judge the jumps and give the points out. It’s a very important position,” he said.
The cameraman added that, as not many people are available or able to do this job, as it requires a good deal of experience and trustworthiness to obtain the correct footage.
“I time my exit with the team; I leave the aircraft maybe a fraction of a second before them to keep them in frame. My camera is positioned on my helmet. I have to judge where to position myself,” he said.
All of the team members are Cypriots from all over the island, and the average age is about 40 years old.
“The eldest team member has been jumping for around 15 years,” said Georgiades, “and the rest of the crew between ten and seven years.”
The sport is open to women and according to Georgiades there are some talented skydivers competing. “Sadly not many Cypriot women are into the sport,” he added.
“The official world championships are every two years, and this competition is the ‘World Cup’. It’s a lot more lax on rules and regulations, and more than one team can go per nation, but Cyprus just has the one team. We are only a small number of skydivers on the island.”
nIf you would like to sponsor the Cyprus skydiving team or you for further information regarding skydiving in Cyprus email [email protected] or call 99603484.
