Claude Gillard’s sport parachuting career spans more than a half century. He began jumping in 1959 and was an Australian parachuting champion by 1962. He was a pioneer of relative work performing the first 2-way in Australia as well as several baton passes. In September 1961, Gillard leaped from 23,600 feet—a two-minute, eight-second free fall—an Australian record that helped publicize the sport in his nation. He is a judge, coach, rigger, instructor and competitor; he was instrumental in introducing new concepts to the Australian parachuting industry. Gillard served as president of the Australian Parachute Federation from 1966 – 2001; he was a Fédération Aéronautique Internationale judge beginning in 1968; and president of the International Parachuting Commission from 1994-1999. He was a leading proponent of canopy relative work around the world and was awarded the title of Companion of Honor in 2003 from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.
