At the recent Full Break Sequential World Record – 151-way at Skydive Arizona, A-team members were among the organizers and participants. You can read a detailed story about the event on SkydiveMag.com. Our legendary Polo Grisoni shared his experience and wisdom with us:

The Epic of a World Record: When Youth Takes Flight

In the career of a coach, there are moments when all efforts, sacrifices, and determination crystallize into a single moment of achievement. I had the privilege of experiencing one of these moments alongside a team of young, ambitious, and bold talents, whom I guided toward an unprecedented feat: a world record in skydiving. This record is not merely a technical achievement; it is the culmination of a human adventure, where each team member learned to believe in their potential. For them, as for me, this feat is living proof that determination, passion, and good preparation can turn dreams into reality.

Demanding Technical and Mental Training
The road to a sporting achievement is a path filled with challenges. From the beginning, I established an intensive training program designed to develop their individual skills. Precision is essential to ensure the group's performance is not compromised. These young people, both in age and experience, displayed exemplary determination to make up for their lack of experience. With fewer than 600 jumps for some, they were competing against seasoned participants with an average of 4,500 jumps each.

ESODA: The Art of Self-Control
Beyond the technical aspect, I introduced a mental concept to help them achieve this feat: ESODA. This tool, which I developed through my years as an entrepreneur, competitor, coach, and trainer, enabled them to gain self-awareness and manage their emotions in the heat of the moment.

E for Emotion: The first step is a self-assessment of emotions. Before the jump, in the plane, I invite them to ask themselves, “How am I feeling? Am I too stressed, too relaxed?” It’s crucial to understand one’s emotions, as they impact performance. Knowing your emotional state gives you an advantage.

S for Situation: Next, it’s about being aware of the current situation. Am I in a critical moment? This situational awareness helps us place ourselves in context.
O for Objective: Once the situation is defined, focus on the objective. “What do I need to do to give my best?” This goal must be clear and achievable to stay focused and avoid mental distractions.

D for Decision: Decision-making naturally follows this analysis. Once everything is laid out, one must choose the best action to achieve the goal.

A for Action: Finally, action—the crucial stage where everything unfolds. It’s time to act with confidence, calm, and determination, leaving all doubts behind.

Through ESODA, which I also apply in crisis situations within my company, each team member learned to control their emotions, stay present, and make informed decisions under pressure. This tool was one of the keys to their success, and I am proud to have guided them on this journey.

CLAA: Calm, Clarity, Analysis, and Action
To reach this level of excellence, I introduced another pillar in their preparation: CLAA. When faced with a challenge as intense as a world record, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the high-stress intensity. This is where CLAA becomes essential.

C for Calm: Calmness is the foundation of everything. In a storm, it keeps us on course, preventing us from being swept away by uncontrolled emotions. Without calm, nothing that follows can function. Calmness allows for fluid movement, while panic creates rigidity.

L for Lucidity (Clarity): Calmness brings clarity. Once at ease, we can analyze things with a clear mind. This clarity helps us see beyond appearances, revealing what adrenaline often hides.

A for Analysis: Clarity naturally leads to thorough analysis. Taking a step back, evaluating options, understanding what’s truly at stake.

A for Action: Finally, action, which realizes all the mental work done beforehand. An action that is deliberate and guided by calm, clarity, and analysis.
This process helped the team stay centered and never let pressure overwhelm them.

A Record to Inspire the Next Generation
This world record, achieved in Arizona last week, symbolizes a human adventure marked by passion, boldness, and resilience. Initially, it seemed unlikely that these young people, with their limited experience, could aim for such a feat alongside seasoned skydivers familiar with world records. This is a symbol of inspiration for all those hesitant to take the plunge. It proves that even with differences in age, experience, and background, dreams can be realized when one dares, perseveres, and believes in oneself.

I am proud to have led this young team on this beautiful journey, and I hope that our story will inspire other young people to never underestimate their potential. No matter where you are today, remember that boldness and passion are the keys to the greatest achievements.

Polo Grisoni

   


     
 
A-Team members on Wordl record skydive: Dieter Kirsch, Milko Hodgkinson, Martial Ferré, Ils van den Weygaert, Kristina Hicks, Tommy Papatango, Polo Grisoni. All visuals by Tommy Papatango.


''It felt very humbling to be flying with a group of such experience (collectively over 600000 skydives!). I feel that there was a great variety of younger and older generations.

The balance between being cautious but also being a full participant in the jump can be a fine line, but overall when you have coaches backing you, you gain the confidence that you need to perform.

As an Australian, sometimes I am nervous about having limited exposure beyond a 15way, but I am so grateful for the opportunities that have taken place in getting me on this record.''