Mirninsky District of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) hosted a precision landing parachuting competition. Among the standout participants was Aleksandr Menshov, Deputy Chairperson of Phoenix, a parachute club, and an RNG employee. Not only did he organise the event, but also soared to second place in the individual sports parachutist category.
Competitors—including professional skydivers and aviation rescue personnel—were tasked with jumping from a height of 1,500 metres, aiming to land on the centre of an eight-metre canvas cross. Each team completed four jumps: one demonstration followed by three scored attempts. Menshov did a great job: the jump that earned him silver was the 842nd of his career.
Aleksandr’s passion for the skies spans nearly two decades. At the age of 51, he began piloting a Yak-52 aircraft before turning his focus to skydiving. In 2014, he co-founded Phoenix, a parachute club, alongside fellow enthusiasts. His contribution to the development of the sport in Yakutia was celebrated with a Loyalty to Parachuting medal from the Russian Parachuting Federation.
Menshov believes extreme sports help uncover a person’s full potential. Beyond parachuting, he is also an avid diver and mountaineer. This summer, he plans to summit two Pamir Peaks, with the expedition sponsored by RNG.