4th Annual Wine Country Invitational - Photos by Bryan Harrell

On October 14-16, 2005, accomplished 4-way competitors and other talented skydivers converged on Skydive Elsinore for the 4th Annual Wine Country Invitational. Led by organizers John Hamilton, Doug Forth, and Kate Cooper, it was a weekend of high quality, complex skydives, focusing on intricate 16+-ways, both in the builds and in the block moves, and increasing in complexity over the weekend. Everything got kicked off Friday with the northwest crew arriving early ready to get the freefall party started.

Saturday continued with more challenging dives, and a bright-and-early Sunday dirt-dive only to be cut short by the clouds and rain we all hoped would stay away. As opposed to sitting around watching the skies, we decided to call the jumping, and hit the merlot and chardonnay early. What better to do on a weathered-out Wine Country weekend, right?! Even though we didn’t get to jump in, Bella Vista Winery hosted a deliciously catered meal with plenty of their local wines to taste.

After dinner, Pat Newman’s video compilation really got the party going with all the event’s skydives and funny ground footage up on the big screen. Followed up with Hammo on the mike passing out prizes— Kate for her stellar organizing, Morgan for his first formation load, and Dan Pillasch for just showing up! Of course, more bottles of wine paved the way for the legendary WC after party.... and this year did not disappoint! Plenty of dancing, drinking, and digital evidence!

Til next year, cheers and blue skies!