Skydivers claim new world record

Watch the skydive

An international team of skydivers says it has set a new world record for the largest connected free-fall formation.

World Team 2006 said all of its 400 jumpers, from 31 countries, had held hands for several seconds during a jump in north-eastern Thailand.

It said the record had been certified by judges from the Switzerland-based Federation Aeronautique Internationale.

The previous record of a 357-member formation was also set by World Team skydivers - in 2004.

Earlier failures

"What an amazing jump it was, 400 people in one formation! It was beautiful!" World Team 2006 organiser and record jump participant BJ Worth said.

"When we landed we all felt that everything had come together and we had the record. The team has been working hard to make this happen," Mr Worth said.

The divers managed to clinch hands in the skies over Udon Thani, drifting down in a circular formation for nearly five seconds, the team said.

They then broke off at 7,500 feet (2,286m) and flew away so that they could safely deploy their parachutes.

The group had failed to completely link up for a measurable amount of time in two earlier jumps on Wednesday.

World Team 2006 is an informal association that includes current and former world champion skydivers.

The record jump was part of festivities honouring the 60th anniversary of the reign of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej.