164 skydivers set world record with formation

Traveling at speeds of up to 386 kilometers per hour, 164 skydivers flying head-down connected with each other to form the largest ever vertical skydiving formation on Friday over central Illinois, smashing the previous record.

It took the international team 13 attempts to beat the 2012 mark set by 138 skydivers. The formation, resembling a giant flower, floated above the rural drop zone in Ottawa for a few seconds before the flyers broke away, deployed their parachutes, and whooped and hollered their way to the ground to the jubilation of spectators.

"It's awesome, man," said Rook Nelson, one of the organizers. "It just goes to show that if you can get the right group of people together and the right support team and good conditions, anything is possible ... even on attempt No 13."