On Thursday, August 29, the United States Parachute Association (USPA) National Championships begin at the Skydive Paraclete XP drop zone in Raeford, North Carolina. This is a long-running event that attracts a wide variety of skydivers, from beginners to elite athletes.
According to Albert Berchtold, executive director of the USPA, the Nationals will begin in Raeford, North Carolina, and end at the Skydive Chicago drop zone in Illinois in late September. Each location will host different events.
Skydive Paraclete XP hosts Canopy Piloting and Canopy Piloting Freestyle competitions. Success in these disciplines depends on speed, distance and accuracy.
Skydive Chicago hosts all other events including formation skydiving, artistic skydiving, wingsuiting, speed and canopy formation.
“Some of the competitors are competing for a spot on the U.S. national team,” Berchtold explained. “In the open class, which is the highest class, there are people who have been around for a long time and are fighting for a spot on the team to represent the United States at a future world championship.”
All participating skydivers are members of the USPA and are at least 18 years old. Berchtold explained that there are experience-based levels for skydivers, including open class, advanced, novice and beginner. While not every skydiver is competing for a spot on the U.S. National Team, this event is an opportunity for like-minded individuals to come together and jump together.
Jeana Billings, an impressive, elite skydiver, will compete at Nationals not only in the women’s 4-person event, but also in the mixed 8-person event. The time and training Billings has put into her skydiving career is evident. She has been successful at the World Cup level, winning gold medals, and is a two-time national outdoor champion.
“I always live in skydiving. When I’m not jumping or tunneling for my own team, I’m at home watching (skydiving) videos or doing jumps for another team. On the weekends, I coach other teams,” Billings explained.
Because Billings competes on two teams, she has learned to balance her training on both sides. She said some days she does 10-12 jumps in the morning with the 8-person team and 4-8 jumps in the afternoon with her 4-person team.
“Skydiving is 90% mental. You can teach anyone to skydive, but how do you live in the moment of skydiving and still maintain your physical performance? That’s the hardest part,” she explained. She explained that she doesn’t often switch off from skydiving, which has helped her stay engaged and focused on the details.
She said that while such an intensive training schedule for the upcoming competition could be exhausting, it was worth the effort and her continued success showed her dedication.
Billings shared some words of wisdom with aspiring skydivers in hopes of inspiring and motivating them.
“Forget what you have to do to get there… if it’s really what you want, everything will fall into place. Everyone in skydiving, myself included, is looking for their future teammate.”
To follow the exciting events live, visit the USPA Nationals 2024 website.
