Wednesday, March 23, 2011

  Oldest tandem skydiving jumper: Fred Mack sets world record (Video)

WILLIAMSTOWN, N.J., USA -- Fred Mackof Newtown Square celebrated his 100th birthday by impressively performing a 13,000 feet tandem skydive at Free Fall Adventures - setting the new world record for the Oldest tandem skydiving jumper .

  ( enlarge photo )

The Guinness world record for the Oldest tandem parachute jump(female) was set by Estrid Geertsen who made a tandem parachute jump from an altitude of 4,000 m (13,100 ft) over Roskilde, Denmark, at the age of 100 years 60 days.

  Guinness World Records also recognized the oldest female person to paraglide tandem: Margaret Mackenzie McAlpine (United Kingdom), who was 100 years and one day old when she completed a tandem paraglide in Karaoglanoglu, Northern Cyprus.

  On his 100th birthday, Fred Mack suited up to jump 13,000 feet from the sky. His slight hesitation and slow steady walk didn't stop him from taking the plunge of a lifetime.

  After a few minutes of flying high, the Newton Square man made a safe landing that even took him by surprise.

  The oldest person to jump a tandem skydive said his tandem skydiving jump at Free Fall Adventures in Williamstown, N.J., was the culmination of a promise he made five years ago when he made his first-ever skydiving jump to mark his 95th birthday, KYW-TV, Philadelphia, reported.

  When asked how he felt after the event, Mack, who clearly takes life day to day, simply replied, "I'm still alive."

  Dr. Elliot Gerber, Mack's cardiologist, said: "I cleared him last time, this time they didn't ask for me to sign off," Gerber said. "Mack has been my patient for 20 years and he is in great shape. He's an amazing man."

  SouthJersey.com reports Mack used to fly planes in the 1930s, and later worked as an engineer who helped design P-40 fighter planes during World War II.

  Once he was back on the ground, Mack joined his friends and family at nearby hotel for a more traditional birthday party.

  According to Mail Online, Mack is still driving at the age of 100. He has a 1953 Jaguar XK 120 and was recently confirmed by the manufacturer as the oldest active Jaguar driver in the world. A friend says he was a competitive skier into his 70s and didn't stop skiing until he reached his 90s.