ABU DHABI – The EEIPC 2026 World Skydiving Championships have transformed CLYMB Yas Island’s colossal wind tunnel into a stage for aerial athleticism, where elite competitors from over 30 nations are redefining the boundaries of indoor flight. The venue, hailed as the world’s largest indoor skydiving chamber and described as ‘tall enough to swallow a building,’ enables unprecedented disciplines like the inaugural vertical sequential 8-way formation.
Within this engineering marvel, teams of flyers execute precisely coordinated maneuvers that resemble choreographed dance routines. UAE team member Cornelia Mihai, a veteran flyer since 2008, described the dynamic as ‘a dance you do with seven other people,’ highlighting the delicate balance between individual skill and collective synchronization. Her newly formed team, representing the host nation, had minimal preparation time, relying on fundamental expertise and rapid coordination to compete at the highest level.
Defending champion James Rogers of Team USA, competing under the team name Fanatics, brings thirteen years of flying experience to the competition. The 21-year-old athlete, who trains with rigorous physical conditioning including swimming to understand fluid dynamics, emphasizes the mental and physical demands of the sport. Rogers is known for pushing creative boundaries with his self-invented ‘tornado spin’ – a high-risk, high-reward maneuver that exemplifies the event’s thrilling nature.
The championship introduces multiple new formats including aerial racing and simultaneous 4-way battles, made possible by the tunnel’s unprecedented scale. Hassan Al Hassani, deputy general manager of CLYMB Yas Island, noted the unique capability of the facility to host 16-person formations – impossible in any other indoor venue worldwide.
For competitors like Jennifer Davidson of Team USA, the event represents more than athletic achievement. ‘The community is really special,’ Davidson remarked, emphasizing how the sport connects people across cultures and professions. With 250 athletes competing over four days, the championship marks both a historic moment for competitive skydiving and a significant milestone for the UAE’s emerging presence in extreme sports.