The Tianmen Mountain Grand Prix Wingsuit Race will be held at the site of last year’s spectacular wingsuit flying exhibition, the Tianmen Mountain Flythrough, which featured Jeb Corliss flying through Tianmen Cave and included multiple wingsuit flights down the mountain by other wingsuit pilots from a platform atop a 900-foot cliff face near its summit. This year, 16 of the world's best athletes have been invited to compete in China.
The race course is approximately three-quarters of a mile in length, with a 2,600-foot vertical drop. Wingsuit pilots will launch from the clifftop platform, make a sweeping turn around an anchored Red Bull hot-air balloon, then fly in a straight line down the mountain and under the tramway cable “finish line.” The race will be limited to 16 of the world’s best wingsuit pilots.
The Grand Prix winner will take home $20,000.00, the second-place finisher, $10,000.00, and the third-place finisher, $5,000.00 (all numbers in USD). A trophy will also be awarded for the fastest single-run time.
The rules:
Section 1: About the Race
The Grand Prix is a race of speed. Scoring is based on each pilot’s fastest time within the
course, from the launch point to the finish line. The fastest pilot is the winner.
Section 2: Race Method
Pilots will launch from the platform on the summit. Time starts when the pilots cross
the jump line. Pilots will fly over the course as fast as they can, making a required turn
around a marker,* then cross the tramway car cable finish line to complete the course.
After completing the course, pilots will open their parachutes and land at the designated
landing point.
* The turn marker is a virtual line extending from a ground landmark of a certain
diameter and extending vertically at the same diameter into the sky.
Section 3: Race Structure
A. There will be a qualification round, then two competition rounds of two runs each:
an elimination round and one final round that will be televised to millions of people
throughout the world. Scoring is based on each pilot’s fastest time per round.
B. All 16 wingsuit pilots participate in the qualification and elimination rounds; the
fastest 8 pilots in the elimination round will compete in the final round.
C. Jump order for the elimination round is determined by the finish order in the
qualification round. The slowest pilot jumps first. Jump order for the final round is
determined by the finish order in the elimination round; the 8th-place finisher in the
elimination round will jump first in the final round.
D. If two or more pilots tie with their fastest-round score in any round, then the fastest
combined round time will decide the placement.
E. If only one flight is completed in the elimination round due to force majeure, then this
flight shall be deemed as the final time to determine whether the pilot qualifies for the
final round.
F. If only one flight is completed in the final round due to force majeure, then this flight
shall be deemed as the final time to determine the final score and the overall race winner.
G. If only one round is completed due to force majeure, then the flight times of the
elimination rounds will be used to determine the final score and the overall race winner.
H. If a round or flights within a round are cancelled for reason (weather or unforeseen
circumstances), then the last completed round will be used to determine the final score
and the overall race winner.
Section 4: Timing Rules
A. Pilots must fly the designated race course. Scoring is based on each pilot’s flight time
from start point to finish line. The fastest time wins. An electronic timer with 1/100 th of a
second accuracy will be used to record the flights.
B. When the launch point judge gives the “ready” signal, the pilot will enter the launch
area and wait for the launch signal – a tri-color red-yellow-green light. The green light
is the launch signal. Pilots must launch within ten (10) seconds after the green light goes
on. The timer will start wen any part of the pilot’s body or equipment crosses the infrared
start line.
C. The Tianmen Mountain Tramway traverses the race course and its cable is the finish
line. Timing will be complete when the pilot’s whole body crosses a line under the tram
cable.
D. Pilots may not jump until after the green light goes on. If the pilot does not launch
within ten (10) second after the green light goes on, s/he will be treated as having
withdrawn from the round. If the singal lights fail for any reason, verbal commands given
by the launch judge shall serve the same purpose.
E. Pilots must open their parachutes high enough to glide for at least 30 seconds before
landing at the designated landing area.
Section 5: Fouls and Disqualifications
The following fouls during flights will result in disqualification:
A. Disregards the launch signal by jumping before the green light goes on, or later than
ten (10) seconds after it goes on.
B. The pilot fails to make the turn around the turn marker. Disqualification will occur if
they cut the turn too close or otherwise fly over the sector deemed to be “out of bounds”
by the turn marker.
C. The pilot opens his or her parachute before crossing the finish line.
D. The pilot crosses the finish line over rather than under the tramway cable.
E. The pilot crosses the finish line within 20 feet of the cable.
F. The pilot lands at the designated after gliding for less than 30 seconds.
G: Disqualification for one flight means that only the remaining flight may be counted
toward advancement in the elimination round or placement in the final round. Two
disqualification in one round results in disqualification for the event.
Section 6: Appeal and Arbitration
If a pilot fouls and is disqualified, the pilot may appeal to the organizing committee
for review. The panel of judges will review the appeal via video replay and make their
decision. Final judgment is made by the Chief Judge and it is final.
