U.S. Skydiver Takes Swoop Freestyle Bronze in Saudi Arabia

July 17-18, Air Sports Group and the General Sports Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hosted the inaugural Swoop Freestyle International Open in downtown Jeddah. The first professional skydiving event in the kingdom featured 18 competitors from 15 countries. The world’s best swoop freestyle athletes performed new tricks and next-level combinations as they battled it out in a neck-and-neck race for the podium.

Ultimately, Pablo Hernandez of Spain took first place by delivering the most adrenaline-fueled performance. Franco Darman of Argentina took second, while Jeannie Bartholomew of the U.S. finished third. “Making the podium this year was one of my biggest goals, as swoop freestyle is my favorite event,” Bartholomew said. “It was an honor to compete and make the podium in a male-dominated discipline and in such a beautiful country. I am excited to keep pushing the sport and getting more women involved and competing in canopy piloting.”