Royal Navy Skydivers Hit 400kph at British National Championships
Three Royal Navy personnel took on the Speed discipline, a form of competitive skydiving in which athletes are measured on the highest average velocity achieved over a three-second window during freefall.
The discipline demands a combination of speed, precision and control. Competitors accelerate towards the ground at hundreds of miles per hour while maintaining a streamlined body position, managing constantly changing airflow and remaining aware of their altitude ahead of parachute deployment.
Despite challenging weather conditions, Reynolds recorded a top speed of 402.76kph, earning bronze in the female category.
The result also secured her selection for Team GB, with Reynolds set to represent the UK at next year's World Cup in Brazil.
She will be joined by fellow Royal Navy skydiver Goknil, who reached an impressive 398.37kph and has also qualified to represent Team GB.
Completing the Royal Navy contingent was Ellis, who recorded a top speed of 359.17kph at the Championships.
The performances are particularly impressive given the trio's relative lack of experience within the Speed discipline.
Reynolds has completed around 1,400 jumps across 15 years in skydiving but has only recently turned her attention to competitive Speed.
Goknil and Ellis each have approximately 400 jumps and three years in the sport, with both also relatively new to the discipline and having competed in only a handful of Speed competitions.
From national competition to the international stage, their performances demonstrate the opportunities available for Royal Navy personnel to progress within skydiving and compete at the highest levels of the sport.
With two Royal Navy skydivers now preparing to pull on Team GB colours in Brazil, the Championships mark another significant step forward for Royal Navy Skydiving.