The unveiling of the Team Canada Paralympic and Olympic opening ceremony attire, featuring a unique blanket-vest fusion by sponsor Lululemon, sparked diverse reactions from fans and observers.
Para snowboarder Tyler Turner, however, saw beyond the initial impressions and found inspiration in the design, envisioning it as a flying maple leaf due to its prominent maple leaf motif.
Driven by his passion for skydiving and wingsuiting, Turner transformed the outfit into an unofficial wingsuit during a daring jump over northern Vancouver Island last weekend.
Equipped with the convertible quilted wrap vest, Turner leaped from a Cessna 206 at 10,000 feet, defying the -25°C temperatures with the warmth of the garment.
Documented through a 360-degree camera on Turner’s helmet, the skydive captured remarkable footage of the wingsuit-like flight, showcasing its impressive forward flying capabilities.
As an instructor at the Campbell River Skydive Centre, Turner reflects on his nearly 1,000 jumps, including the life-changing incident in 2017 that led to the amputation of both his lower legs, shaping his journey as a para athlete.
Looking ahead, Turner plans to showcase the flying maple leaf wingsuit in its traditional form at the upcoming Milano-Cortina Paralympic Games, where he will lead Team Canada as co-captain in the opening ceremony.
His focus then shifts to defending his gold and bronze medals from Beijing 2022 in men’s SB-LL1 snowboard cross and banked slalom, embracing the pressure with unwavering readiness.
Despite receiving trade offers for the iconic wingsuit, Turner remains undecided on parting with it, viewing the outfit as a unique flying machine and a symbol of his remarkable journey.
For those who witness the wingsuit at the opening ceremony, the backstory adds an extra layer of significance, creating a special connection and a hidden gem of inspiration.