181 women skydive to set world record

PERRIS, Calif., Sept. 30 (UPI) -- From 17,000 feet, 181 women leaped from nine planes over California and set a world record for the most women skydiving in formation, jump organizers said.

The women came from 26 countries to participate in the Jump for the Cause event in Perris to raise money for breast-cancer research Saturday, The Arizona Republic reported.

Participants who turned out for the jump at the Perris Valley Skydiving Center in Southern California included survivors of breast cancer and other cancers as well as their friends, family members and other supporters.

The jump raised $900,0000 for breast-cancer research at City of Hope in Los Angeles, organizers said.

Saturday's jump broke the previous record, 151 women skydiving in formation, set in 2005 by Jump for the Cause participants.

The jumpers broke the record on the sixth try Saturday and had done 20 practice jumps during the previous week.

"It was the most amazing week of my life," said Jennifer Pierce of Gilbert, Ariz. "It was really hot and exhausting. It was more work than I thought."