Aleksej Zelenkov, a duty manager at KlasJet, has broken three Lithuanian skydiving records in a single jump from 7,620 meters during a specialised high-altitude event in Herning, Denmark this August. In turn, new Lithuanian records were set for the highest skydive, the longest canopy flight duration (at approximately 13 minutes), and the highest altitude display of the Lithuanian flag.
The event is one of the few opportunities in Europe for civilian skydivers to reach such heights. After completing a freefall jump from 7,500 meters the previous year, he decided to attempt something more challenging – and from an even higher altitude.
“The conditions of the jump were genuinely extreme – the temperature was -37 degrees Celsius, and I needed an oxygen source. Unlike my previous high-altitude jump with freefall, this time I deployed the parachute immediately after exit, which meant feeling the full force of that cold instantly. My hands and feet went numb almost immediately,” Zelenkov remembers.
Zelenkov’s journey to becoming a licensed skydiver began just four years ago. Since earning his sporting licence after 25 jumps, Zelenkov practises nearly every weekend. He has also unveiled plans to soon become a skydiving instructor, which requires a minimum of 500 completed jumps. With just a few dozen to go, Zelenkov is certain that he can reach this goal.
Zelenkov also notes the support received from the KlasJet company; “It’s an absolute pleasure and privilege to be surrounded by people who understand the draw aviation has,” he says. “During the record jump, I deployed two flags – the Lithuanian flag and the KlasJet flag. Having that level of trust and backing from my employer and colleagues – some of whom have even come to the aerodrome to try tandem jumps themselves – is what drives me forward.”
Looking to the future, Zelenkov aims to break the 10-kilometre barrier, something that only a handful of skydivers have so far managed to achieve.