Photo by Chris Bess.
IMDb
I am passionate about flying; be it my body, a parachute, or an airplane. It fills me with a great sense of fascination, curiosity, and purpose.
Coaching grants me the opportunity to share my skills and experience with those who have a desire to learn. I believe in building skills on a solid foundation and giving my students tangible evidence of their progress.
My coaching method is methodical yet holistic – incorporating physical as well as mental training, in a positive and constructive learning environment. I strive to find the perfect balance between ability and challenge for optimal engagement and enjoyment. My biggest reward as a coach is the joy of celebrating a student's "lightbulb moments", as they achieve their goals.
Skydiving Stats
Nationality: |
USA |
Languages: |
English and German |
Occupation: |
Skydiver (Co-Founder / Owner of AXIS Flight School) and Photographer |
Appointments: |
USPA S&TA (Mountain Region), USIS Advisory Board Member. |
Licenses / Ratings: |
USPA D License; USIS Founding Member; |
Number of Jumps: |
16,000+ |
Tunnel Time: |
Thousands of hours since 2004 |
Emergency Cutaway: |
Sport: 22, |
Intentional Cutaway: |
13. |
Competition History
Peak Competition Performances
Speed Skydiving
- Highest ISSA Eternal Ranking: #2 (Oct. 2024).
- Highest scoring round1: 525.44 km/h / 326.49 mph.
- Highest average1: 522.51 km/h / 324.67 mph.
- Highest total1: 4180.05 km/h / 2597.36 mph.
- Highest scoring round Mixed Team1 (Team USA with Brianne Thompson): 493.52 km/h / 306.67 mph.
- Highest overall average Mixed Team1 (Team USA with Brianne Thompson): 488.74 km/h / 303.69 mph.
- Highest National Team total2 (Team USA with Kyle Lobpries and Anthony Landgren): 12048.84 km/h / 7486.80 mph.
Footnotes:
1 Achieved at the 5th Speed Skydiving FAI World Championships 2024 at Skydive Crystal Coast.
2 Achieved at the 4th Speed Skydiving FAI World Championships 2022 at Skydive Arizona.
Vertical Formation Skydiving
- VFS 4-Way Open — Highest average: 21.00 points
(FAI World Formation Skydiving Championships 2014). - VFS 4-Way Open — Single highest scoring round: 27 points
(FAI World Formation Skydiving Championships 2014).
Vertical Formation Skydiving indoor
- VFS 4-way Open Indoor — Highest average: 26.1 points
(2019 USIS National Championships). - VFS 4-way Open Indoor — Single highest scoring round: 46 points
(2019 USIS National Championships).
Mixed Formation Skydiving
- MFS 2-Way Open — Highest average: 12.0 points
(USPA National Championships 2017). - MFS 2-Way Open — Single highest scoring round: 17 points
(USPA National Championships 2017).
Formation Skydiving indoor
- FS 4-way Open Indoor — Highest average: 18.3 points
(IBA US National Championships 2017). - FS 4-way Open Indoor — Single highest scoring round: 24 points
(IBA US National Championships 2017).
FAI World Championships and World Cups
3 6 3
1st in Speed (Open), Beaufort NC, USA (2024),
1st in Speed (National Team), Beaufort NC, USA (2024),
2nd in Speed (Mixed Team), Beaufort NC, USA (2024),
2nd in Speed (Open), Prostějov, Czech Republic (2023),
3rd in Speed (National Team), Prostějov, Czech Republic (2023),
1st in Speed (National Team), Eloy, USA (2022),
2nd in Speed (Open), Eloy, USA (2022),
2nd in Speed (Male), Eloy, USA (2022),
3rd in VFS 4-way, Eloy, USA (2019),
4th in VFS 4-way, Saarlouis, Germany (2017),
2nd in VFS 4-way, Prostějov, Czech Republic (2014),
3rd in FS 4-way (video), Menzelinsk, Russia (2010),
2nd in FS 4-way (video), Maubeuge, France (2008).
ISSA World Cup Series
World Cups 0 0 0
World Cup Series Events 1 0 0
1st in Speed (Open), World Series Event in March 2024 at Eloy, USA.
USPA National Skydiving Championships
5 7 6
1st in Speed Skydiving (2024),
1st in Speed Skydiving (2023),
1st in Speed Skydiving (2022),
2nd in Speed Skydiving (2021),
2nd in VFS 4-Way Open (2019),
5th in Speed Skydiving (2019),
2nd in VFS 4-Way Open (2018),
3rd in VFS 4-way Open (2017),
4th in MFS 2-way Open (2017),
7th in Speed Skydiving (2017),
3rd in VFS 4-way Open (2016),
3rd in VFS 4-way Open (2015),
1st in VFS 4-way Open (2014),
1st in VFS 4-way Open (2013),
2nd in VFS 4-way Open Alternate (2012),
2nd in VFS 4-way Open Alternate (2011),
8th in FS 4-way Open (2009, Video),
5th in FS 8-way Open (2009, Video),
2nd in FS 4-way Open (2008, Video),
3rd in FS 8-way Open (2008, Video),
2nd in FS 10-way (2007, Video),
4th in FS 4-way Open (2007, Video),
3rd in FS 16-way (2006, Video),
3rd in Freefly Advanced (2006).
USIS National Championships
0 0 1
3rd in VFS 4-way Open (2019).
Other Skydiving Competitions (indoor or outdoor)
1 1 2
2nd in VFS 4-way Open (2017 Paraclete XP Indoor Championships),
3rd in FS 4-way Open (2017 IBA USA Indoor National Championships),
1st in VFS 4-way Open (2016 Battle of the Blades at iFly Seattle),
3rd in VFS 2-way Open (2016 Battle of the Blades at iFly Seattle),
1st in Freefly 2-Way (2012 at Skydive Arizona's Freefly Money Meet).
Records
So far, Niklas has set
- 4 world records,
- 17 continental records (N. America),
- 12 national records, and
- 17 state records.
World Records
FAI #20573 G-1 Speed (11 Oct 2024) — Highest Average Speed - Mixed Team (with Brianne Thompson): 491.87 km/h (305.63 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC) [claimed].
FAI #20526 G-1 Speed (9 Oct 2024) — Highest Overall Average Speed - Team (with Team USA): 491.84 km/h (305.62 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC).
FAI #20521 G-1 Speed (8 Oct 2024) — Highest Average Speed - Team (with Team USA): 495 km/h (307.58 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC).
FAI #20498 G-1 Speed (7 Oct 2024) — Highest Average Speed - Team (with Team USA): 494.75 km/h (307.42 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC) [eclipsed].
Continental Records (North America)
FAI #20553 G-1 Speed (11 Oct 2024) — Highest Overall Average Speed - Team (with Mixed Team USA): 488.74 km/h (303.69 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC) [claimed].
FAI #20549 G-1 Speed (11 Oct 2024) — Highest Average Speed - Team (with Mixed Team USA): 493.52 km/h (306.66 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC) [claimed].
FAI #20534 G-1 Speed (9 Oct 2024) — Highest Overall Average Speed: 522.51 km/h (324.67 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC) [claimed].
FAI #20527 G-1 Speed (9 Oct 2024) — Highest Overall Average Speed - Team (with Team USA): 491.84 km/h (305.62 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC).
FAI #20522 G-1 Speed (8 Oct 2024) — Highest Average Speed - Team (with Team USA): 495 km/h (307.58 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC).
FAI #20499 G-1 Speed (7 Oct 2024) — Highest Average Speed - Team (with Team USA): 494.75 km/h (307.42 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC) [eclipsed].
FAI #20493 G-1 Speed (7 Oct 2024) — Highest Average Speed: 525.44 km/h (326.49 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC) [claimed].
FAI #20546 G-2 Speed (6 Oct 2024) — Maximum Vertical Speed w/o Drogue: 535.41 km/h (332.689 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC) [claimed].
FAI #20454 G-1 Speed (18 Sep 2024) — Highest Overall Average Speed: 518.1 km/h (321.93 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Chicago (IL) [eclipsed].
FAI #20456 G-2 Speed (17 Sep 2024) — Maximum Vertical Speed w/o Drogue: 531.936 km/h (330.531 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Chicago (IL) [eclipsed].
FAI #20455 G-1 Speed (17 Sep 2024) — Highest Average Speed: 522.31 km/h (324.55 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Chicago (IL) [eclipsed].
FAI #20067 G-2 Speed (15 Sep 2023) — Maximum Vertical Speed w/o Drogue: 522.252 km/h (324.513 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Paraclete XP (NC) [eclipsed].
FAI #20041 G-1 Speed (23 Aug 2023) — Highest Overall Average Speed - Team (with Team USA): 478.78 km/h (297.5 mph) at FAI World Cup in Prostějov (Czechia) [eclipsed].
FAI #20038 G-1 Speed (23 Aug 2023) — Highest Average Speed - Team (with Team USA): 482.13 km/h (299.58 mph) at FAI World Cup in Prostějov (Czechia) [eclipsed].
FAI #20008 G-2 Speed (22 Aug 2023) — Maximum Vertical Speed w/o Drogue: 519.16 km/h (322.592 mph) at FAI World Cup in Prostějov (Czechia) [eclipsed].
FAI #19867 G-1 Speed (24 Oct 2022) — Highest Average Speed: 520.87 km/h (323.65 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Arizona [eclipsed].
FAI #19832 G-1 Speed (24 Oct 2022) — Highest Overall Average Speed: 511.22 km/h (317.66 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Arizona [eclipsed].
National Records
USPA #400301 G-1 Speed (9 Oct 2024) — Highest Overall Average Speed: 522.51 km/h (324.67 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC).
USPA #400305 G-1 Speed (7 Oct 2024) — Highest Average Speed: 525.44 km/h (326.49 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC).
USPA #400306 G-2 Speed (6 Oct 2024) — Maximum Vertical Speed w/o Drogue: 535.41 km/h (332.689 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC).
USPA #400289 G-1 Speed (18 Sep 2024) — Highest Average Speed: 522.31 km/h (324.55 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Chicago (IL) [eclipsed].
USPA #400284 G-1 Speed (18 Sep 2024) — Highest Overall Average Speed: 518.1 km/h (321.93 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Chicago (IL) [eclipsed].
USPA #400287 G-2 Speed (17 Sep 2024) — Maximum Vertical Speed w/o Drogue: 531.9 km/h (330.508 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Chicago (IL) [eclipsed].
USPA #400144 G-2 Speed (15 Sep 2023) — Greatest Freefall Speed: 522.252 km/h (324.513 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Paraclete XP (NC).
USPA #400031 G-1 Speed (24 Oct 2022) — Highest Average Speed: 520.87 km/h (323.65 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Arizona [eclipsed].
USPA #400012 G-1 Speed (24 Oct 2022) — Highest Overall Average Speed: 511.22 km/h (317.66 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Arizona [eclipsed].
USPA #201163 G-1 Speed (24 Oct 2022) — Highest Average Speed: 517.78 km/h (321.73 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Arizona [eclipsed].
USPA #400091 G-1 Speed (21 Sep 2022) — Highest Overall Average Speed: 505.45 km/h (314.07 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Chicago (IL) [eclipsed].
USPA #100276 G-2 FS (3 Dec 2013) — Head Down Large Formation, Female: 63-Way (as videographer) at Skydive Arizona [eclipsed].
State Records
North Carolina: USPA #400302 G-1 Speed (9 Oct 2024) — Highest Overall Average Speed: 522.51 km/h (324.67 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC).
North Carolina: USPA #400303 G-1 Speed (7 Oct 2024) — Highest Average Speed: 525.44 km/h (326.49 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC).
North Carolina: USPA #400304 G-2 Speed (6 Oct 2024) — Maximum Vertical Speed w/o Drogue: 535.41 km/h (332.689 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC).
Illinois: USPA #400288 G-1 Speed (18 Sep 2024) — Highest Average Speed: 522.31 km/h (324.55 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Chicago (IL).
Illinois: USPA #400285 G-1 Speed (18 Sep 2024) — Highest Overall Average Speed: 518.1 km/h (321.93 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Chicago (IL).
Illinois: USPA #400286 G-2 Speed (17 Sep 2024) — Maximum Vertical Speed w/o Drogue: 531.9 km/h (330.508 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Chicago (IL).
Arizona: USPA #400207 G-2 Speed (20 Apr 2024) — Greatest Freefall Speed: 563.829 km/h (350.348 mph) at Skydive Arizona.
North Carolina: USPA #400145 G-2 Speed (15 Sep 2023) — Greatest Freefall Speed: 522.252 km/h (324.513 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Paraclete XP (NC).
North Carolina: USPA #400127 G-1 Speed (15 Sep 2023) — Highest Overall Average Speed: 508.9 km/h (316.22 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Paraclete XP (NC).
North Carolina: USPA #400125 G-1 Speed (15 Sep 2023) — Highest Average Speed: 513.54 km/h (319.1 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Paraclete XP (NC).
Arizona: USPA #400030 G-1 Speed (24 Oct 2022) — Highest Average Speed: 520.87 km/h (323.65 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Arizona (AZ).
Arizona: USPA #201162 G-1 Speed (24 Oct 2022) — Highest Average Speed: 517.78 km/h (321.73 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Arizona (AZ) [eclipsed].
Arizona: USPA #201161 G-1 Speed (24 Oct 2022) — Highest Overall Average Speed: 511.22 km/h (317.66 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Arizona (AZ) [eclipsed].
Illinois: USPA #201068 G-1 Speed (21 Sep 2022) — Highest Average Speed: 509.45 km/h (316.56 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Chicago (IL).
Arizona: USPA #400081 G-2 Speed (6 Aug 2022) — Greatest Freefall Speed: 538.5 km/h (334.609 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Arizona (AZ).
Arizona: USPA #100293 G-2 FS (3 Dec 2013) — Head Down Large Formation, Female: 63-Way (as videographer) at Skydive Arizona [eclipsed].
Illinois: USPA #100326 G-1 VFS (15 Sep 2013) — 4-Way VFS Longest Sequence 25 Points at USPA Nationals at Skydive Chicago (IL) [eclipsed].
Awards and Recognitions
USPA 180-Hour Freefall Badge (2020) for completion of 180 hours of freefall in accordance with the Basic Safety and Requirements of the USPA.
USPA 12,000 Jump Wings (2020) for completion of 12,000 skydives in accordance with the Basic Safety and Requirements of the USPA.
Chesley H. Judy USPA Safety Award (2017) in recognition for having, through example, deed, training, or innovation, promoted safety in the sport of skydiving.
USPA Day 4-Stack (2012) for completion of a 4-stack during the day in accordance with the Basic Safety Requirements of the USPA.