Damien Goriou Competes for France at World Skydiving Championships in Arizona
Skydiver Damien Goriou, licensed in Mérignac, is representing the French national team in four-way relative work at the world skydiving championships in Eloy, Arizona. The international competition brings together an ambitious French delegation that also features two other competitors from Gironde among the favorites in their respective disciplines: Matéo Limnaios from Puybarban in artistic disciplines, and Pessac resident Aurélien Lemaire in canopy piloting.
For Goriou, the world championship represents the culmination of meticulous preparation in a spectacular and demanding discipline focused on executing a maximum number of formations in a brief window. Le but, c’est de faire des figures pendant 35 secondes dès la sortie de l’avion. L’équipe qui aura réalisé le plus de figures gagne la manche,
Goriou explains. Competitors leap from an altitude of 3,200 meters, reaching speeds between 180 and 200 kilometers per hour. Au bout d’une dizaine de secondes, on atteint la vitesse terminale et on vole ensuite à cette vitesse-là,
he notes.
Videographers and Training Rhythms Ensure Competition Success
Success in four-way relative work relies on the precise coordination of four parachutists alongside a videographer, who serves as a vital team member responsible for keeping everyone visible on camera. Il doit garder tout le monde dans le cadre. Si un membre de l’équipe sort de l’écran, cela peut nous coûter des points et même la compétition,
Goriou points out. Leading up to the event, the French athletes maintained an intense training rhythm of ten to twelve jumps per day, which was later reduced to five or six daily jumps to preserve physical freshness.
The choice of Eloy, Arizona, for the championships stems from its highly favorable weather. Il fait très beau, il y a très peu de vent et quasiment jamais de nuages. Les conditions de sécurité et de visibilité sont optimales,
according to Goriou, who nonetheless admits a sentimental preference for the scenery above the Arcachon basin.
France Leverages a Winning Culture for Podium Goals
The French squad arrived carrying strong expectations across multiple categories. En général, nous sommes favoris dans plusieurs disciplines. En vol relatif à quatre, au féminin ou encore en disciplines artistiques, les attentes sont élevées,
Goriou highlights, attributing the success to a legacy passed down through generations. La France entretient une vraie culture de la gagne. Ce savoir-faire se transmet de génération en génération et nous espérons continuer à monter sur la première marche du podium.
Goriou also points to modern training tools like wind tunnels as vital for accelerating athlete development, noting how young talent like Limnaios rapidly reached a high level through these methods. In the skies above Eloy, the three competitors from Gironde now aim to convert their rigorous preparation into world championship medals.