OTTAWA, Ill: Travelling at speeds of up to 240 mph, 164 skydivers flying head-down have built the largest ever vertical skydiving formation.

The formation, resembling a giant flower, floated above Skydive Chicago in Ottawa, Illinois, for a matter of seconds Friday before the flyers broke away, deployed their parachutes, and whooped and hollered their way to the ground.

It took the international team 13 attempts to beat the 2012 mark set by 138 skydivers.

The team was selected after training camps in Spain, Australia and across the United States, with flyers traveling from around the world to take part.

Seven aircraft flew in precise formation to ensure the jumpers de-planed at the right place, time and altitude. The record jumpers exited at 19,700 feet. Ottawa is 80 miles southwest of Chicago. -AP

-http://www.nst.com.my