Al Blaschke successfully topped the world record for skydiving on Monday by tandem jumping at 106 years old. Blaschke is a World War II veteran who first went skydiving on his 100th birthday. In 2020, he jumped again, claiming the world record for the oldest tandem skydiver.
Videos by Outdoors
Blaschke brought several friends for the most recent jump, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott. The two left from San Marcos, Texas, just south of Austin and then jumped from 8,500 feet. Both were tandem skydiving, meaning they were strapped to well-trained skydivers for the ride down.
This trip was Governor Abbott’s first skydiving trip, which he did in part to honor veterans.
“Texans and Americans owe so much to the brave men and women who serve our nation and protect the freedoms that we enjoy each and every day,” said Governor Abbott in a press release. “I am proud to share my first skydiving jump with Al Blaschke to honor veterans, like him, who helped safeguard the freedoms and promise of our country for generations of Americans.”
According to media reports, Governor Abbott, who’s been in a wheelchair for most of his life, joked to reporters that his biggest fear would be injuring himself, saying he feared, “I would land, and I would not be able to walk away.”
Recently, a 104-year-old woman went skydiving to claim the previous record. Dorothy Hoffner made the jump outside Chicago in October of this year. She sadly passed away just days after completing the jump.
No word on when the Guinness Book of World Records will officially acknowledge Blaschke’s new record.
