Monégasque skydiver Tom Mattoni crowned world champion in Arizona

Monégasque skydiver Tom Mattoni has claimed the world title in four-way open relative work at the Skydiving World Championships in Eloy, Arizona. His gold medal victory led a successful French delegation that also included a bronze medal for Nice-native Adrien Gallot.

The French delegation delivered a dominant performance at the competition, held from 18th to 24th October, securing five gold medals and one bronze across relative work, artistic events, and canopy piloting.

Out of 22 French competitors, 19 returned home with a medal, with local athletes from the Principality and the Alpes-Maritimes playing a key role in the team’s overall success.

*Tom Mattoni with the Excalibur trophy after taking gold at the 2026 World Skydiving Championships in Eloy, Arizona. Photo credit: Anthony Vergnet*

Tom Mattoni and the Excalibur trophy

Tom Mattoni, a 22-year-old Monégasque skydiver representing the Monaco Parachute Team, claimed the world title in four-way open relative work. Alongside teammates Damien Gouriou, Clémentine Le Bohec, Alban Rumolo, and camera flyer Cameron Malie, the team captured the event’s prestigious trophy, the Excalibur.

The victory adds to Mattoni’s growing record and highlights the continued investment of the Monaco Parachute Team in supporting local talent.

*Adrien Gallot, who secured a bronze medal, alongside his partner Laurie Lubbé. Photo credit: Sébastien Chambet*

Strong performance in artistic events

In the freestyle discipline, Adrien Gallot secured a bronze medal alongside his partner Laurie Lubbé. Licensed with the Nice Parachute Circle and based in Tourrette-Levens, Gallot competed in an event often described as an aerial dance. Freestyle teams combine acrobatic maneuvers and freefly figures, which are filmed live by a camera flyer and scored by judges on technical difficulty, execution, and video framing.

The French Parachuting Federation praised the collective effort of coaches, regional clubs, and support networks in preparing the athletes for international competition. The achievements of Mattoni and Gallot underline the strong presence of Riviera-based parachuting clubs on the world stage.

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Skydiving World Championships in Arizona. Photo credit: Sébastien Chambet