Community / Ten skydivers to jump at Tingwall as they visit five countries in 24 hours
A GROUP of skydivers from across Europe and America will make their third stop of the day in Shetland today (Friday) as they aim to jump in five countries in 24 hours.
The group, headed by Arne Aarhus, will start the day in Goteborg, Sweden and continue to Bergen in Norway before jumping in Shetland.
“After we land, we pack our parachutes and head off for Faroe, and then later Iceland,” Aarhus said.
“After arriving [in] Iceland we pick up extra skydivers and do a circle around Iceland and jump into the most spectacular places Iceland has to offer, although Shetland is even more exclusive and unusual to do.
“Skydivers taking part in such trips love to skydive in spectacular areas where skydiving is not usual.”
Aarhus, who is half Norwegian and half Icelandic, has been skydiving since 1992.
He was previously CEO at salmon exporter Ocean Quality. The company had an office in Lerwick so he frequently visited the isles from 2010 to 2017.
He always dreamed of skydiving in Shetland and now he is excited for the dream to become reality.
“We do this as a celebration to our close connections to Shetland, and [to] see this beautiful place again. Seeing it from above makes all the difference,” he said.
The group was going to jump in Shetland last month but had to cancel due to poor weather conditions.
Local skydiver Eoin Muir will be assisting the group.
He told Shetland News: “I’m going to be there about 11 because I’ve got to set up the landing area…then I’ll put up a big windsock up so they can see that as well.
“When they exit the plane, I’ve got to count how many canopies are open in the sky. If one’s missing something’s went wrong.
“It’s been a lot of hard work trying to get all the airports involved – trying to find a landing area was the hardest bit.”
They plan to jump at 3pm this afternoon in Tingwall and will land behind Herrislea House Hotel.
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