
James Nowland: Friends of Perth BASE jumper who died in Italy raise money to bring his body home to family
James Lee Nowland crashed on Wednesday after jumping from prominent rocky peak Sass Pordoi in the Dolomites near the South Tyrolean, Italian news agency ANSA reported.
The 42-year-old crashed along a hairpin bend road, at an altitude of about 1,700 metres and 400 metres above the landing point, according to alpine rescue services.
Investigators suspect Mr Nowland's parachute didn't open in time due to a technical issue.
The group of fellow Australians he was with alerted the rescue services.
A mountain rescue team and a helicopter were deployed but he could not be revived.
His self-proclaimed 'Australian family' started a
GoFundMe
on Friday to 'bring James home' to his wife and two young daughters.
'It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the sudden and devastating loss of our beloved weapon father, work mate, all round legend James who passed away tragically while overseas,' fundraiser organiser Damian Harris wrote.
'James was more than just family and a mate – his presence lit up every room, and their absence now leaves a space no words can fill.
'We are creating this GoFundMe to help cover the unexpected costs of bringing James home to his family to support his girls left behind.
'Any donation, no matter how small, will go directly towards ensuring we can honour James's memory in the way they truly deserve.'
Before the fatal accident, Mr Nowland had shared a video on his social media of a group preparing for the Pordoi BASE Race — a wingsuit race among people competing to become the fastest in the world.
The competition, which was running from July 16 to July 18, sees racers jump from the top of Sass Pordoi and fly as fast as they can down the mountain to the finish line.
Adrian Nowland shared a heartfelt tribute to his brother alongside a picture of them together in the snow in British Columbia.
'Rest in peace brother! Wish we had more times like this together,' he said.
'Hope you're soaring through the clouds doing what you love forever.'
BASE jumping refers to the extreme sport of jumping off elevated fixed objects using parachutes or wingsuits, with the word an acronym for building, antenna, span and earth.
BASE jumping is illegal in Australia, specifically in national parks and on private property without permission.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Perth Now
19 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Wallabies can't lose heads in Lions Test tussle
Coach Joe Schmidt says his underdog Wallabies will have to play with brains as well as brawn to topple the unbeaten British and Irish Lions in their MCG showdown. The last Australian outfit to lose back-to-back Tests was in 1989, when they stormed to victory in the opening match before consecutive defeats. The Wallabies were criticised after their loss in game one in Brisbane for their lack of physicality, with the confrontational Lions forwards getting on top of their hosts. The lack of front-foot ball in the first half made life difficult for rookie flyhalf Tom Lynagh to make any inroads in attack. Schmidt has included powerhouse trio Will Skelton, Rob Valetini and Dave Porecki for Saturday's clash to help combat the brutality of the Lions. The First Nations and Pasifika outfit had a fearless approach to the Lions in their midweek match in Melbourne, rattling their highly-rated opponents with their aggression in defence. While he wanted the Wallabies to front up and shed their "nice guy" tag, Schmidt didn't believe that would work in the Test arena against the best of the Lions players. "We don't want to be nice, and we don't want to be submissive," Schmidt said. "I thought the First Nations Pasifika team did a fantastic job, but after 31 minutes, they've conceded 13 line breaks. "If we do that in a Test match, we could be a lot further behind than the FNP team were on Tuesday evening so we've got to make sure we get the balance right. "Some of that aggressive line speed that they brought, we've got to bring that, but we've also got to make sure that it's connected, because when you leap like that and they can play in behind you, then it's very hard to get back in front of them. "So, you know, 13 line breaks to two after 30 minutes, we can't afford to have that stat." Fullback Tom Wright said the squad had full trust in wily Kiwi Schmidt, who took over as Wallabies coach at the start of 2024. Schmidt will hand the reins to Les Kiss after the Rugby Championship which provides the squad with even more incentive to send him out a winner. "I also have a real appreciation of the way that Joe coaches this group," Wright said. "I think we're absolutely all in on the way he coaches because we all believe in it. "What he does do is drive individuals for stuff that we can control in our own backyards or forwards, backs, my own sort of game. "I think he knows exactly what the group needs."

Courier-Mail
an hour ago
- Courier-Mail
2025 Langer Trophy: What Kulikefu Finefeuiaki said to inspire the Ipswich SHS captain Xzavier Timoteo
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local sport. Followed categories will be added to My News. At Ipswich SHS's pre-season launch of the school's rugby league season, Dolphins ace and Ipswich SHS past captain Kulikefu Finefeuiaki took current Ipswich skipper Xzavier Timoteo aside from a chat. They laughed and they joked, hamming it up on a celebration of the Ipswich SHS rugby league community. But two words of advice Finefeuiaki struck a match with Timoteo, the Sydney Roosters-signed prop who was named in the Australian schoolboys side last Saturday. One related to the importance of hitting Roosters pre-season training at the end of the year as fit as he could possibly be. The other piece of advice related to maintaining a good diet, which struck a cord given Timoteo was once a 'small, fat kid.'' 'I was. You can ask the coaches. I was very over weight in Years 7, 8 and 9,'' said Timoteo, a lover of his mum's lasagne and potato bake. But with encouragement from the Ipswich SHS teacher, Timoteo transformed himself into one of the most feared forwards in his age group. Indeed the coaches have helped make Timoteo into the player - and person - he is today. 'My coaches are more like my big brothers. They will always take time out of their day to help you,'' he said. Timoteo also has Finefeuiaki's desire to run hard, or 'run the bust'' as he calls it. 'I've learnt to do it. It (running hard) has come with confidence probably.'' Xzavier Ttimoteo is the Ipswich SHS Langer Trophy captain who made the Aussie schoolboys. Picture, John Gass With advice from Finefeuiaki ringing in his ears, Timoteo, the Souths Acacia Ridge Magpies junior, shone for the Queensland schoolboys recently and was one of five young Maroons to make the Aussie schoolboys side. The other were Mountain Creek SHS middle forward Jackson Koina (Parramatta), PBC SHS Kiwi centre recruit Antonie Verhoeven (Broncos), Marsden SHS hooker ace Hayden Watson (Storm) and Keebra Park SHS's New Zealand eligible fullback, David Bryenton (Canterbury Bulldogs, 18th man). The Australian schoolboys squad: 1. Cameron Bamblett (Parramatta Eels) 2. Filipe Fakauaho (Sydney Roosters) 3. Toby Winter (Newcastle Knights) 4. Dayne Jennings (South Sydney Rabbitohs) 5. Antonie Verhoeven (Brisbane Broncos) 6. Callum Grantham (Cronulla Sharks) 7. Toby Batten (The Dolphins) 8. Jackson Koina (Parramatta) 9. Liam Bell (Sydney Roosters) 10. Jake White (Cronulla Sharks) 11. Pheonix Godinet (Wests Tigers) 12. Darcy Smith (Sydney Roosters) 13. Thomas Dellow (Cronulla Sharks) Interchange 14. Hayden Watson (Melbourne Storm) 15. Roman Tuaimau (Canberra Raiders) 16. Xzavier Timoteo (Sydney Roosters) 17. Christoper Petrus (Parramatta Eels) 18. David Bryenton (Canterbury Bulldogs)


The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Hawks on Blues cruise to deny Docherty fairytale finish
Hawthorn's self-proclaimed "villains" have spoiled Sam Docherty's farewell party, cruising to a 24-point win as the Carlton hero waved an emotional MCG goodbye. Docherty kicked a goal and was given a touching send-off in front of 51,271 fans on Thursday night after announcing his retirement mid-week. But there was no fairytale ending to the two-time cancer survivor's remarkable career against the businesslike Hawks, who kicked eight of the first nine goals in their 13.7 (85) to 9.7 (61) victory. A sixth win from seven outings strengthened Hawthorn's grip on a top-eight spot and kept them firmly in top-four contention with a 13-6 record. "They were playing for a bit ... so we knew there would be a little bit of extra something about it and we were pleased we were able to respond early," Hawks coach Sam Mitchell said. "They wouldn't go away, unfortunately, but we did what we had to do. "We were cast in the role of the villain, so we embraced that." An inspirational figure, Docherty has twice beaten testicular cancer and endured three knee reconstructions, while winning a Carlton best-and-fairest award and All-Australian selection. The 31-year-old entered the field of play for his 184th and last game with his family, and had 16 disposals between a wing and half-forward. He was moved into attack after halftime and provided a highlight with a third-quarter goal, celebrating with a bow to the crowd. Docherty was also used as a stepladder by Hawks forward Calsher Dear, who took a mark-of-the-year contender on his opponent's shoulders. Blues coach Michael Voss conceded it was a disappointing result in Docherty's final appearance and vice-captain Jacob Weitering's 200th game. "We came in wanting to create a sort of pretty special memory off two players that we hold in the highest of regard," Voss said. "They've had huge impact on our football club ... so we would've liked to have started better. "The Hawks getting the jump and the scoreboard going that way, it just proved too hard to be able to fight back. "While the rest of the game was somewhat a stalemate, the reality was the margin was too big to drag back." Mitch Lewis kicked his first goal in more than a year in Hawthorn's hot start, helping them to a 25-0 lead before Corey Durdin got the Blues on the board. It was brief respite for Carlton, who trailed 6.1 to 1.2 at quarter-time and were 42 points in arrears early in the third term. Docherty briefly sparked Carlton late in the quarter, kicking one goal but missing the chance for another after he had caught James Sicily holding the ball. But the Blues never got close enough to threaten a boilover. Jack Gunston (three goals), Nick Watson, Dear and Lewis (two each) shared the load in attack for Hawthorn. Will Day made a successful return from a foot injury with 15 disposals on limited minutes, and hauled in a spectacular mark over Lachie Fogarty. Fellow Hawks midfielder Jai Newcombe was subbed out in the third term after nursing a tight calf into the match. Dylan Moore (27 touches), Jarman Impey (25) and Josh Ward (22) were all busy, with Sicily and Tom Barrass strong in defence. Weitering worked tirelessly for Carlton opposed to Gunston, while George Hewett (25 disposals) and Zac Williams (18 touches, seven clearances) battled hard. Amid intrigue around his playing future, Charlie Curnow kicked two goals from 10 disposals and McKay booted one late on return from a knee injury. Hawthorn's self-proclaimed "villains" have spoiled Sam Docherty's farewell party, cruising to a 24-point win as the Carlton hero waved an emotional MCG goodbye. Docherty kicked a goal and was given a touching send-off in front of 51,271 fans on Thursday night after announcing his retirement mid-week. But there was no fairytale ending to the two-time cancer survivor's remarkable career against the businesslike Hawks, who kicked eight of the first nine goals in their 13.7 (85) to 9.7 (61) victory. A sixth win from seven outings strengthened Hawthorn's grip on a top-eight spot and kept them firmly in top-four contention with a 13-6 record. "They were playing for a bit ... so we knew there would be a little bit of extra something about it and we were pleased we were able to respond early," Hawks coach Sam Mitchell said. "They wouldn't go away, unfortunately, but we did what we had to do. "We were cast in the role of the villain, so we embraced that." An inspirational figure, Docherty has twice beaten testicular cancer and endured three knee reconstructions, while winning a Carlton best-and-fairest award and All-Australian selection. The 31-year-old entered the field of play for his 184th and last game with his family, and had 16 disposals between a wing and half-forward. He was moved into attack after halftime and provided a highlight with a third-quarter goal, celebrating with a bow to the crowd. Docherty was also used as a stepladder by Hawks forward Calsher Dear, who took a mark-of-the-year contender on his opponent's shoulders. Blues coach Michael Voss conceded it was a disappointing result in Docherty's final appearance and vice-captain Jacob Weitering's 200th game. "We came in wanting to create a sort of pretty special memory off two players that we hold in the highest of regard," Voss said. "They've had huge impact on our football club ... so we would've liked to have started better. "The Hawks getting the jump and the scoreboard going that way, it just proved too hard to be able to fight back. "While the rest of the game was somewhat a stalemate, the reality was the margin was too big to drag back." Mitch Lewis kicked his first goal in more than a year in Hawthorn's hot start, helping them to a 25-0 lead before Corey Durdin got the Blues on the board. It was brief respite for Carlton, who trailed 6.1 to 1.2 at quarter-time and were 42 points in arrears early in the third term. Docherty briefly sparked Carlton late in the quarter, kicking one goal but missing the chance for another after he had caught James Sicily holding the ball. But the Blues never got close enough to threaten a boilover. Jack Gunston (three goals), Nick Watson, Dear and Lewis (two each) shared the load in attack for Hawthorn. Will Day made a successful return from a foot injury with 15 disposals on limited minutes, and hauled in a spectacular mark over Lachie Fogarty. Fellow Hawks midfielder Jai Newcombe was subbed out in the third term after nursing a tight calf into the match. Dylan Moore (27 touches), Jarman Impey (25) and Josh Ward (22) were all busy, with Sicily and Tom Barrass strong in defence. Weitering worked tirelessly for Carlton opposed to Gunston, while George Hewett (25 disposals) and Zac Williams (18 touches, seven clearances) battled hard. Amid intrigue around his playing future, Charlie Curnow kicked two goals from 10 disposals and McKay booted one late on return from a knee injury. Hawthorn's self-proclaimed "villains" have spoiled Sam Docherty's farewell party, cruising to a 24-point win as the Carlton hero waved an emotional MCG goodbye. Docherty kicked a goal and was given a touching send-off in front of 51,271 fans on Thursday night after announcing his retirement mid-week. But there was no fairytale ending to the two-time cancer survivor's remarkable career against the businesslike Hawks, who kicked eight of the first nine goals in their 13.7 (85) to 9.7 (61) victory. A sixth win from seven outings strengthened Hawthorn's grip on a top-eight spot and kept them firmly in top-four contention with a 13-6 record. "They were playing for a bit ... so we knew there would be a little bit of extra something about it and we were pleased we were able to respond early," Hawks coach Sam Mitchell said. "They wouldn't go away, unfortunately, but we did what we had to do. "We were cast in the role of the villain, so we embraced that." An inspirational figure, Docherty has twice beaten testicular cancer and endured three knee reconstructions, while winning a Carlton best-and-fairest award and All-Australian selection. The 31-year-old entered the field of play for his 184th and last game with his family, and had 16 disposals between a wing and half-forward. He was moved into attack after halftime and provided a highlight with a third-quarter goal, celebrating with a bow to the crowd. Docherty was also used as a stepladder by Hawks forward Calsher Dear, who took a mark-of-the-year contender on his opponent's shoulders. Blues coach Michael Voss conceded it was a disappointing result in Docherty's final appearance and vice-captain Jacob Weitering's 200th game. "We came in wanting to create a sort of pretty special memory off two players that we hold in the highest of regard," Voss said. "They've had huge impact on our football club ... so we would've liked to have started better. "The Hawks getting the jump and the scoreboard going that way, it just proved too hard to be able to fight back. "While the rest of the game was somewhat a stalemate, the reality was the margin was too big to drag back." Mitch Lewis kicked his first goal in more than a year in Hawthorn's hot start, helping them to a 25-0 lead before Corey Durdin got the Blues on the board. It was brief respite for Carlton, who trailed 6.1 to 1.2 at quarter-time and were 42 points in arrears early in the third term. Docherty briefly sparked Carlton late in the quarter, kicking one goal but missing the chance for another after he had caught James Sicily holding the ball. But the Blues never got close enough to threaten a boilover. Jack Gunston (three goals), Nick Watson, Dear and Lewis (two each) shared the load in attack for Hawthorn. Will Day made a successful return from a foot injury with 15 disposals on limited minutes, and hauled in a spectacular mark over Lachie Fogarty. Fellow Hawks midfielder Jai Newcombe was subbed out in the third term after nursing a tight calf into the match. Dylan Moore (27 touches), Jarman Impey (25) and Josh Ward (22) were all busy, with Sicily and Tom Barrass strong in defence. Weitering worked tirelessly for Carlton opposed to Gunston, while George Hewett (25 disposals) and Zac Williams (18 touches, seven clearances) battled hard. Amid intrigue around his playing future, Charlie Curnow kicked two goals from 10 disposals and McKay booted one late on return from a knee injury.