The SkyQuest 100-way sequential event attracted a team of very talented skydivers from 13 different nations - most of whom were seasoned veterans of big-ways. Averaging more than 4000 jumps a piece, almost all had been in multiple 100-ways before arriving.

High winds grounded the team for most of Friday, but during the weather hold they were busy rehearsing the first of their 100-way sequential dives. A key part of this dirt diving was the break-off rehearsal, orchestrated by Rusty Vest, to ensure there would be plenty of empty sky for everyone to open their 'chutes without drama. For this entire event, priority number one was safety. 

Dive One was relatively straight forward, with a 60-way base formation and eight 5-way wackers (lines-abreast), each attached to the base by a single grip. For the first jump, it was agreed that only one formation would be tried, because it usually took a few jumps before a newly-assembled team could start completing 100-ways. 

When the winds dropped at sunset, everyone boarded Carolina Sky Sports' two CASA's and Twin Otters, and climbed to 17,500 feet. Roger Ponce (de Leon) spotted the 4-ship formation right over the top of the Fantasy of Flight Museum. A clean 8-way piece sailed off the tail-gate of the lead CASA, and soon 91 teammates flew over and docked in their pre-assigned slots on the formation. The 99-way was held intact until 6,000 feet, when the break-off signal sent everyone tracking away on pre-assigned vectors. 

The enthusiasm by the skydivers under canopy and on the ground was palpable. Everyone was grinning ear-to-ear, and slapping high-fives. If the solid teamwork on this first dive was an example of things to come, this team was in for a very exciting and rewarding week-end. 

This particular series of 100-ways was dubbed the Kaleidoscope Dives. The goal was to build and sequence through formations with visually distinct geometric shapes, to create a visual effect similar to the shifting images one sees when looking through a kaleidoscope. 

Buoyed by the near-completion of their first dive, the 100-way team was ready to start sequencing through multiple formations from that point forward. On their first jump Saturday morning, they planned to start with the same first formation, and produce the kaleidoscope effect by having all eight wackers release their grips, swing 180 degrees, and re-dock their opposite ends back on the base formation. On the third move, the flying wackers would merge into four large circles, while the base sequenced into two concentric circles. 

In the sky, the first point was completed quickly, and two designated people in the base gave big head-nods for the sequencing to start. Four of the wackers couldn't see the key and stayed put, while the others easily made their moves. When the head-nod keys were repeated, the tardy wackers sequenced to the second formation, while the other four moved on to the third. Despite the confusion, everyone was elated. Communication problems in freefall are much easier to fix than skydiving ones. 

These early successes set a jubilant mood for the week-end, and established the necessary confidence for the team to pursue its challenging task in the sky. On dive three, a 98-way built quickly, but two linked divers appeared to be holding off just outside the formation. By waiting for the 100-way to complete, too much valuable freefall time might have been consumed, preventing any sequencing, so the keys were given to move on. Not wanting to miss out, the two astute stragglers joined the party on the move, and the second point was completed with all 100 on board. The next key came quickly, allowing much of the third point to be completed before break-off. 

Shifting to a new sequence of formations required some more dirt diving, but all the team members kept their same exit order to simplify the process. The new base formation had three lobes, with six 6-way wackers docked on the outside. On the first sequence, the wackers would again rotate and re-dock. The third move would be a relatively easy one (only nine grips had to be dropped), and the whole formation would expand outward to become a huge triangle - at least according to the diagram. 

Out the door, the new 100-way completed directly on cue. After a quick survey to confirm all the grips were in place, the keys were given, and the second formation was nearly completed before the signal came to break-off. On the ground, the excitement meter had ratcheted up another notch. Previously, no team had ever achieved this level of sustained success with big-ways. One team member was heard asking, "Did you know we could really do this?" Another said, "Don't ask, let's just keep doing it!" 

Then the bubble burst. On the next dive, a mis-cue happened on the exit, and 50 divers were transformed into floaters. By the time the chaos in the sky had settled, only 98 had made it into the formation, and there was no time for sequencing. It was the last dive for the day, and everyone maintained their positive attitude by shrugging off this stumble as a temporary lack of concentration. 

On Sunday morning, the team was refocused, and ready to go - with all 100 team members and four camera-flyers standing tall with gear on at 6:30 am. A short delay for clouds didn't dampen the sprits, and soon the Kaleidoscope Divers were back in the sky at 17,500 feet, and back to their heroic feats reminiscent of earlier jumps. 

The first 100-way was completed flawlessly, followed by a clean sequence to the second formation, which, coincidently, looked a bit like Disney's mascot. When the grips were dropped to go to the third formation, it expanded and actually started to look like a huge triangle - but break-off came before it was fully shaped. 

By chance, two endings were designed for this sequence - with a different third point for each. So with minimal dirt diving, the team went back up and tried the alternate sequence. The first formation was completed in record time, and the transition to "Mickey Mouse" was exceptionally smooth. The new third formation - three large circles surrounding an even larger center circle, accented by three free-flying 6-way diamonds - was easily completed, and flown intact for nearly ten seconds. 

There was only time for one more 100-way, so these dare-to-be-great Kaleidoscope Divers rehearsed a totally new sequence of formations. With only enough time to walk through the new sequence three times, the team went up determined to have one great final skydive together. Although the first formation built a bit slowly, everyone flew to their positions very smoothly, and produced a beautiful 5-pointed "starfish." After the key, the team had time to complete more than half of the second point - intended to be a five-pointed star. 

Back on the ground, a collective euphoria swept over the whole team as their incredible achievements for the week-end were just starting to sink in. Ten 100-ways on six skydives. No-one wanted it to be over, but 27 team members had to make flight connections for home, or fulfill other real-world obligations. The remaining Kaleidoscope Divers, however, decided to go back up for one more bite of the apple - resulting in a thrilling two-and-a-half-point 73-way. 

In the aftermath, the jubilant buzz at the drop zone was totally consistent: The whole team wanted to return to SkyQuest in 2002. They loved the venue at Fantasy of Flight; they loved rubbing shoulders with the top skydivers in all the featured disciplines; they loved Roger's consistent spots over the top; they loved Rusty's safe break-offs; and they loved sequencing through the 100-way Kaleidoscope Dives!