posted Jun 7th, 2006 - Doug Park, reigning DeLand Majik 4-way world champion and new Center Outside for Team Fastrax, has recently become the new owner of SkySystems USA, Inc. The company manufactures helmets, such as the popular Oxygn and Factory Diver, and also other skydiving accessories.

Of course, he and his team members use helmets built by SkySystems, and his company is also one of the official Fastrax sponsors. However, even the best helmets don't seem to be able to absorb a hard hit by a knee or an ellbow targeted at the visor and what hides behind it.

Unfortunately, Doug Park's nose became the victim of Mark Kirkby's knee at the completion of Block 21 (Zig Zag - Marquis) at one of the team's last training camps, and it was a bloody affair. The finishing move of the block did not indicate that there would be serious damage ahead, as the video shows.

The pieces connected as usual for this block technique, and it seems as if Mark Kirkby's shoe made the contact with Doug Park's visor and nose. It does not even take any significant level difference any longer to bring nose and feet close enough for direct contact. The proper Mantis body position requires an uplifted chest and head, which eventually brought Doug Park's nose and Mark Kirkby's shoe on collision course.

It was not break-off time yet, and the team was first surprised when Doug Park took off after the completiton of Block 21. The team then realized that something was wrong, while Doug Park turned around and indicated to Fastrax videographer, Steve Redinbo, that something had happened to his face.

The damage was a broken nose and a bloody helmet, which were both presented to the camera after Doug Park and the team had safely landed. The whole video can be viewed at the Fastrax website, and it comes along with a related song...

An interesting aspect of this accident is the fact that Mark Kirkby has his own experiences with hits to the helmet, a broken nose and a black eye. The NSL News took a picture of Mark Kirkby's face after he was hit by a friendly knee in the middle of the World Meet 2003 competition in France. He was competing with Arizona Airspeed's 8-way team in Gap, France, and the NSL News commented live from competition site:

"Here comes a hero story of yesterday's second round in 8-way. Craig Girard reported that the last Donut - Donut move ended quite dramatically. Mark Kirkby made serious contact with a knee in the middle of the 360' turn. His helmet's visor shattered as much as Kirkby's nose behind it. Blood splashed through the air, while his team mates saw the mess. Kirkby still tried to complete the move although he could not see much any longer. He got help from his piece partner with the knee presentation. The second Donut was completed before it was break-off time. Working time ended after the first Donut anyway, but who could know?

The 8-way event was over after these two rounds yesterday, and Kirkby had time to visit the local hospital and take care of his nose. It was broken and swelling. However, back from the hospital, Airspeed went back to work with Kirkby preparing the next jumps for today. Obviously, Kirkby shook off the pain and the bother and performed in round three as nothing had happened. The NSL News will follow up with an up-to-date picture of Kirkby's recent condititon later. 8-way is over for today, 4-way is coming up next with the Women's event first."

Mark Kirkby's nose broke in September 2003, Doug Park's nose broke a few weeks ago, and this is still not the end of the Fastrax story. Niklas Hemlin was the next victim last week, and it sounded as if his nose was in the worst shape compared to his team mates. The NSL News will follow up later and wishes both Fastrax members good recovery.