Neckarsulmer Thorsten Morhaus plunges into the Speed Skydiving World Cup adventure!

Neckarsulmer Thorsten Morhaus plunges into the Speed Skydiving World Cup adventure!

The thrill of extreme sports has a very special fascination for many people. Thorsten Morhaus, a 48-year-old sky diver from Neckarsulm, will soon be the challenge of the Speed Skydiving World Championships in the United States. This sport, which is exerted up to 500 kilometers per kilometer, demands everything from the athletes. Next Sunday, Morhaus will demonstrate his skills in the American Beaufort after he has intensively prepared for this competition.

The World Championships are attracting athletes from all over the world, and Morhaus will be part of a top -class field of participants, which includes athletes from countries such as the USA, Australia, Austria and Italy. The aim of the Sky Divers is to go into the descent at maximum speed, with the current world record of 529 kilometers per hour being held by Marco Hepp from Bavaria. For comparison: A typical parachutist usually reaches speeds between 180 and 200 kilometers per hour.

technology and concentration crucial

speed skydiving is more than just a spectacular fall from an airplane. Technology plays a crucial role here. In order to move optimally in free fall, the athletes have to take a certain aerodynamic attitude. They keep their arms closely on their body and feet to minimize the air resistance. A small error can result in decisive loss of speeds. Morhaus itself has even decreased ten kilograms before the World Championships in order to be able to slide even more dynamically through the air.

The use of GPS measuring devices in the helmet enables the propellers to precisely record their speeds. From an altitude of about 4,000 meters, they fall vertically and must reach the top speed within just three seconds. The high -speed phase takes an impressive 20 seconds, after which the highest concentration is required to switch to the normal parachute jumping position in good time before approaching the floor.

a sport that remains invisible to spectators

The attractive aspect of speed skydiving is not always visible to the audience. It is hardly possible to follow the impressive flights live, as the athletes jump off at such speeds that they can only be perceived as a quick point in the sky. The noise that you create when braking, on the other hand, is reminiscent of roaring a jet, which often causes spectators to look up.

Despite the associated challenges, Morhaus remains motivated. In everyday life he is the managing director of the sewage association Unteres Sulmtal and family man of two daughters. His family plays a central role in his sport because she supports him in his striving. "My children are proud that I bring medals home," says Morhaus, who sees his passion for flying as a calculable risk.

he completes his training sessions on jumps in the area and regularly meets with other SkyDivians across Germany. The excitement before the 2024 World Cup is noticeable, and Morhaus hopes to perhaps even return with a new personal speed record. One thing is certain: people in free fall will again give everything to cross their limits. For more information on the developments in this sport, see the current reporting on www.swr.de .