From Team Fastrax, the organization who was performing the jump: After reviewing the After Action Reports, reviewing dozens of videos and speaking with multiple Meteorologists, we are able to release a statement of fact regarding the Team Fastrax Performance at Virginia Tech on 18 April 2026. Three Performers and two Ground Safety Specialists walked and inspected the venue, discussing the safest entry point and the maximum wind speeds for the performance to be a go. It was determined that 14 knots would be the highest winds permissible to exit the aircraft for this venue. The Team reviewed several weather forecasts including the TAF (Terminal Area Forecast) at Blacksburg Airport in Virginia and they all indicated that the conditions were and would remain well below our maximum winds. The Team Leader with more than 12,000 jumps and six into this specific stadium determined that these were perfect conditions for jumping into Lane Stadium at 4 to 8 knots. 20 minutes prior to exit the team deployed two wind drift indicators at 2100’ and timed their decent rate, determining that the winds were as forecasted. They selected an exit point 0.2 miles past the stadium and relayed this information to the pilot. On jump run our Ground Safety Specialists reported to the aircraft that winds at the lip of the stadium were indicating 4-5 knots and light and variable on the field. With our wind limit being 14 knots, the Ground Safety Specialist called up safe to exit to the aircraft. Three Performers exited the aircraft. The first down was jumping a Spectre 170 with our air-to-ground broadcast system, the second Performer was wearing a PD253 with a tethered 100sf VT banner, and the third Performer was wearing a PD253 tethering a 1,100 square foot American Flag. As the 1st Performer and Team Leader entered the lip of the stadium, he was hit by a 27-knot wind shear from the opposite direction of the reported winds on exit. His canopy was severely distorted at 80 feet. He flared his canopy to reinflate the wing and landed safely. He immediately called up extreme turbulence to the other jumpers. The 2nd Performer was outside the stadium with the banner deployed when the extreme turbulence call was made. The first of two wind shears pushed him off course, where he opted for a designated alternate landing area. The 3rd Performer had the large American Flag which, causes additional drag and reduces the turn rate on what is already a slow responding canopy. He was over the stadium on the west sideline at 600-700 feet when the first wind shear hit. The wind shear lasted less than a minute and then dropped to the forecasted winds. With forward penetration, it was now possible to land in the stadium. While on approach in the Northeast corner flying in ¾ brakes sinking his canopy in, the second sustained wind shear out of the same direction at 27 knots hit, causing an updraft off the stands and rolling turbulence off the scoreboard. The updraft created brief lift and then changed his descent angle to straight down and backwards. With the attached flag he could not punch through the updraft. He could not cut the flag way as it might injure spectators. He could not make a left turn to the alternate because it would have been more than 270 degrees with the upper stands and a light pole being collision obstacles. He began to initiate a right turn to avoid hitting spectators and his parachute lost lift and stalled from the turbulence that was rolling off the front top edge of the scoreboard creating a vacuum. The approaching storm was well over 100 miles away and was not a factor. After speaking with several Meteorologists, they believe the approaching cold front, low pressure system and the mountainous terrain caused these wind shears. The three Performers have extensive experience, weather knowledge and stadium performances. As a team we train to mitigate risks and execute at a high level, always putting the safety of the spectators and everyone involved first. We are thankful that none of our teammates were severely injured, and are incredibly grateful to the first responders and our friends at Virginia Tech.