Goulburn’s first all female skydiving team, the Goulburn Glory, and the Goulburn Supermax, have returned from the 2018 National Skydiving Championships in Nagambie with grins.

Having undertaken 10 jumps over two days, the girls from Goulburn Glory had a rocky start as they battled nerves and the unfamiliarity of the new plane and drop zone.

By day two, however, the girls were in their element, scoring within one point of the leaders for jumps seven to ten and gaining the top score for jump ten.

Team member Dawn Tratt said the biggest lesson learnt was the importance of positive thinking. 

“By day two we enlisted the expertise of an outside coach who was so incredibly positive and constructive with his feedback,” she said.

“The team suddenly gelled and got the job done.”

The team took away a fifth placing in their category.

Over in the boy’s camp, some strong jumps and fantastic forms saw the Goulburn Supermax team narrowly miss out on a silver and take away a bronze.

Batting against the big boys, team member and trainer Mark Higgins said Supermax competed in a stiff category of 10 teams, some of which were captained and coached by world record holders, world 4way silver medalists and national 4way and 8way champions from the United States. 

“Supermax had strong rounds 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 but lacked consistency to challenge for the gold,” Mr Higgins said.

“Jarrad Nolan and Nathan Davies showed great resilience to bounce back from rounds where not all anticipated was achieved. Both showed their mettle and focus.”

With two points separating third and second and one point separating fourth and third by day’s end, Mr Higgins said a ‘jump off’ was a very real threat.

“A large crowd of 120 or so contestants, and supporters sat before a large outdoor screen and watched the live judging of Round 10 in the Blast category,” he said.

“Team members huddled together at the front of the crowd, bonded in adversity, united in anxiety. The footage played and eyes flicked from point calculation to time remaining.”

Mr Higgins said when the all important eight flicked white on the screen, signifying a confirmed score “without busts of 8” there was  realization that bronze was being taken home.

“Jubilation, relief, hubris and exhaustion were mixed int eh wave of emotions that drenched the Supermax,” he said.