The VIII Base Jumping Extreme World Championship – Gran Hotel Bali Benidorm

THE VIII Base Jumping Extreme World Championship at Benidorm’s Hotel Bali on Saturday and Sunday June 6 and 7 saw an incredible series of jumps by the world’s finest sporting thrill seekers, who dedicated the event to Dario Barrio who lost his life base jumping on June 6 2014.
This is the sport for which the phrase ‘don’t try this at home’ was surely invented! Benidorm’s Gran Hotel Bali soars to 186 metres, with a convenient observation deck at 160 metres, from which world class base jumpers leap into nothingness, a flimsy chute or wingsuit all that stands between them and disaster.
The qualifying rounds produced 31 finalists. Early jumps were uneventful, with a pause on Saturday June 6 while the wind lessened. Semi-finalists were: Pascal Dupont of France; Miguel Gomez of Spain; Maurizio di Palma of Italy and France’s Maurice Mahieu.
The jumps are judged on style and skill and smoothness of flight. Of course being alive when you get to the target landing area is always a bonus but actually serious base jumpers are safety fanatics, performing dozens of equipment checks, completely committed to calm, graceful take-offs and landings.
The winners were: Maurizio di Palma first; Miguel Gomez in second place and the third podium place went to Pascal Dupont.
The base jumpers thank their generous sponsors:
ESA Magicam Iberia; VERDÚDIGITAL Xtreme Xperience; Television Program SportHG; Cable Ski Benidorm; Wingsuits 40 Principales Benidorm and the fabulous Gran Hotel Bali Benidorm.