Thornton Skydiver Will Compete in World Championships
Thornton resident Matt Fry prepares to face international competition in Arizona starting on October 18, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Track & Field
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Matt Fry, a Thornton local with 20 years of skydiving experience, will head to Eloy, Arizona, to compete in the World Air Sports Federation World Championships beginning October 18, 2026. The athlete arrives at the event following his recent victory as the Combined Vertical Free Fall Champion.
Why it matters
The competition serves as a critical test for Fry as he pursues top-tier rankings in the sport. His performance in Arizona will determine his standing against international speed records set by competitors like Sebastian Garcia.
Fry has maintained a personal-best speed record of 334 miles per hour during his 20-year career. This remains shy of the 335.24 miles per hour record established by Sebastian Garcia in 2024.
The players
Matt Fry
He is an experienced skydiver from Thornton, Colorado, who holds the title of Combined Vertical Free Fall Champion.
World Air Sports Federation
This is the international governing body responsible for organizing global aerial sports championships.
Sebastian Garcia
He is a competitive skydiver who established a speed record of 335.24 miles per hour in 2024.
The details
Fry utilizes specific body positions and specialized aerodynamic equipment to maximize his fall speed during the approximately one minute he has per jump to practice his technique. He trains despite limitations posed by Colorado's high elevation and volatile weather, which frequently ground regional practice sessions.
Timeline
Matt Fry performed his first tandem skydive in 2005.
Fry competed in a world competition held in Siberia in 2022.
Matt Fry secured the Combined Vertical Free Fall title on September 28, 2026.
The World Championships in Eloy, Arizona, run from October 18-24, 2026.
Fry has already received an invitation to compete in the 2027 World Championship.
Season Trajectory
Fry's performance in Arizona directly impacts his momentum heading into the 2027 season and his pursuit of the global speed record. Success at this event would solidify his standing as a top contender, potentially reshaping the competitive balance for future international meets.
The competition requires participants to complete a six-hour Accelerated Free Fall licensing class before they are eligible to perform independent jumps. Aspiring local skydivers in Thornton must account for these training requirements and local weather delays when planning their own practice schedules.
The takeaway
Skydiving at a competitive level involves rigorous adherence to aerodynamic body positioning and precise technical training. Aspiring skydivers should anticipate significant time commitments for both theoretical licensing classes and practical, weather-dependent jump sessions.
What happens next
Matt Fry is scheduled to compete in the next World Championship event during the 2027 season.
Further reading
For more news on local athletes, visit the Track & Field section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Denver Westword.
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