MOTALA. On Mother’s Day, the dream came true.
Ruth Larsson, 103, is officially the world’s oldest parachutist.
– It feels wonderful. This is what I have been looking forward to, says the new record holder.
In 2019, Ruth Larsson parachuted for the first time. She was then 101 years old and hoped to be included in the Guinness Book of Records. But that did not happen, as 103-year-old Kathryn Hodges from the United States snagged that spot just months earlier.
But now Ruth is back, with the record age inside and the revenge around the corner.
Just a few hours before she is to be thrown out of an aircraft at an altitude of 4,000 meters, we get to feel her nerves.
– It feels very good, if I can handle it now, says the 103-year-old.
Ruth Larsson has 4 children, 19 grandchildren and over 30 great-grandchildren. Many of them are on site and in addition, everything from old friends to local locals have gathered at Skärstad airfield to witness the record attempt. Ruth seems to have become a bit of a local celebrity in Mjölby, where she lives.
“She just lights up”
The youngest daughter Ulla Eriksson Bergman stands by Ruth’s side throughout the day.
– Mom gets ten years younger from this, she just lights up. And she has talked about it for many years, says her daughter.
– And I’m just very happy to help her. I’m not a bit nervous, says grandson Per Salbark who is behind much of the planning for the record attempt.
Ruth is not used to all the commotion and she seems relieved when she is allowed to go into the hangar and put on her flight suit. To help her, she has Joackim Johansson from Linköping’s parachute club, who became a favorite with Ruth already the first time she jumped, 2019. This time too, it is Jocke who accompanies her up in the air.
Judge from London on the spot
Joanne Brent, official judge from the Guinness World Record in London, is in place to approve the record attempt.
– The current record as the oldest parachutist is 103 years and 129 days, she says.
In order for the experiment to be liked, Brent says that they have to go through everything from Ruth’s birth certificate to old school grades to ensure that she is old enough and that it will thus be a world record.
Fortunately, everything seems to be in order.
– Ruth has every chance in the world to make it and she seems so calm, Joanne Brent continues.
Dramatic landing
At 15.00 it was said that Ruth would go up in the air, but the whole thing is delayed. Then she takes the opportunity to escape both the sun and curious spectators in an old hangar.
Are you nervous?
– No.
Not at all?
– No.
A short while later, the flying cap goes on and the parachute is tightened. Ruth waves goodbye to all the spectators and is led into the plane with the help of Per and Joackim.
It takes 25 minutes for the plane to reach the desired altitude of 4,000 meters. Finally we see a blue parachute unfold and we know that it is Ruth who is sailing up there. 103 year old Ruth.
Suddenly they approach and when Ruth hits the ground we can sense a little howl. She landed on her knees instead of the usual butt. Anxious whispers can be sensed among the applause when Ruth lies on the ground. But then she shows a thumbs up and the cheers resume along with lively accordion music.
Meet by flowers and champagne
And only then has Ruth Larsson secured her place in the Guinness Book of Records. She receives a framed diploma and is photographed with Joanne Brent.
– This is what I have been looking forward to. And you get so many flowers and nice when you come down, says a relieved Ruth, with a glass of champagne in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other.
Were you scared up there?
– No, not a bit.
Maybe you’m used to this by now?
– You probably never really get used to it, but I thought it went well in any case.