A WODONGA skydiver has put aside the devastating death of his father to achieve an Australian record at the world canopy-formation championships in Europe.
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The death of Craig Bennett’s dad, Ralph, coincided with the start of the titles in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Dad died at the beginning of round one,” New Zealand-born Mr Bennett said.
Despite his mourning, Mr Bennett joined teammates Jules McConnel and Michael Vaughan in scoring an Australian record of 31 points for their canopy formation in the sky over the city of Banja Luka.
Mr Bennett, 51, is the videographer for the team, recording point-earning formations as the trio drops from 7000 feet (2133 metres).
“We did one for dad,” Mr Bennett said of the success which saw the team, known as Ookoonono, beat its own national record by two points.
“I can’t get back for his funeral in time from here, so I’ll just carry on with the plan, and see whether my team can win some more world champs medals for the old guy.”
Mr Bennett’s partner, Wodonga lawyer Sandra Northey, praised his ability to defy the tragedy.
“In some ways it helped him because he wanted to do his dad proud and it helped keep him focused,” Ms Northey said.
The team members will learn whether they are world champions at the end of a week of competition.
Mr Bennett, who is nicknamed Crash, has done more than 5000 jumps.
Before he took up the sport, he got his thrills on two wheels.
“A bunch of mates who I was racing Formula 2 motorbikes with were doing a first jump course, so I went, too,” he said.
“I’m the only one still skydiving out of the 22.”
When he’s home, Mr Bennett spends many weekends at the Corowa skydiving centre, instructing jumpers and embarking on tandem plunges.
He met Ms Northey when she took up skydiving.
