Kate Vaughan will compete at Skydiving World Cup after the death of her husband Michael

SKYDIVER Michael Vaughan died after a midair collision in March, but instead of giving the sport away, his wife Kate is competing for Australia.

Kate and Michael Vaughan

KATE Vaughan first tried skydiving six years ago to face her fears, but she never expected the rollercoaster ride that would follow.

She also never expected to find her soulmate, and never expected to have him taken away when the pair were only just at the start of their happily-ever-after journey.

Skydiver Michael Vaughan was involved in a midair collision during a week-long training course in March. He died after surgery on March 28.

Kate said she never expected to find a soulmate when she took up skydiving.

After spending the last five months trying to come to terms with the death of her husband, Mrs Vaughan boarded a plane for Europe yesterday where she will be doing her best to ensure his legacy lives on.

“I started skydiving, and then I met Michael through the sport,” she said.

“Meeting him changed my life, and changed how I approach life. I found my soulmate.

“I’d done less than 100 jumps when I took part in my first competition and it was with Michael.

“It was 2009 and we won gold, and it was the state championships.

“It was my first gold medal, a very exciting time, and about when I realised how fun and challenging competing could be.

“Of course, falling in love with Michael too was making everything special around that time.”

Kate and her team Bellatrix are in Europe preparing for the World Cup. Photo: Mark Laing

Next week, Mrs Vaughan will be going for gold with the Australian team at the Skydiving World Cup in the Netherlands, but returning to the skies this year has been a case of facing her fears all over again.

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“I’ve definitely scaled back my skydiving since then,” the 36-year-old said.

“At the moment I really only want to jump with other people who are really experienced, like my current teammates.

“It’s bad because I really like coaching, but I think I need to get my confidence back before I get back into that.”

Kate and Michael competed as a team in 2009.

MICHAEL’S LEGACY

Born: 11/09/1969 —

Died: 28/03/15

● Michael Vaughan was an internationally renowned skydiver who held world and Australian records, and had won international medals

● His first foray onto the world stage was as a flat flyer and he was in the Aussie 8-way team in 2004 and 2006

● He was part of the World record 400-way in Thailand in 2006

● He won silver at the inaugural CP World Championships

●He was an instructor who had over 10,000 jumps under his belt

●He ­became entangled during a midair manoeuvre in Byron Bay, and died after surgery on March 28

Kate Vaughan in training at Fitness Factory in Annandale, with her trainer James ZG Buckley. Picture: Craig Wilson

KATE’S STORY

Age: 36

Lives: Leichhardt

First skydive: “I started on my 30th birthday, I was so petrified, it really was about facing my fears. It took about 50 jumps to face that fear.”

Competing: September 2-12 at the World Cup in Formation Skydiving, the Netherlands

Goal: Compete at 2016 World Championships in Chicago

Recent results: “The Aussie indoor nationals yesterday were awesome out at ifly down under in Penrith. 47 teams competing in seven different disciplines. Seven hours of flying and 10 hours of judging. It was epic. I won a silver medal in Open 4 way Formation Skydiving with my Bellatrix teammate Karen Hardy, and two friends. We were neck-and-neck with the team who finished third so it was very exciting. I also won a silver medal in intermediate two way Vertical Formation Skydiving, which was great as it is a ‘vertical’ orientation of flying that is new to me. (usually I fly on my belly for the 4 way formation skydiving that Bellatrix does). So that was a great challenge.”

Training: Fitness Factory Australia in Annadale with James ZG Buckley. “Physical training here gives me strength and confidence, but it’s the mental training with James that helps me focus at competition.”

Online: Follow Kate’s adventures at the World Cup at the Bellatrix Facebook page.

Fitness Factory in Annadale is offering a free week’s training to anyone who mentions this article when they call. To find out more email [e-mail]