It took 15 attempts over three days, but 138 sky divers have broken the world record by flying heads down in a massive snowflake formation in Illinois.

The daredevils fell at speeds of up to 220mph after launching themselves into the air at 18,500 feet.

Three judges representing the International Air Sports Federation certified that the skydivers successfully created the formation on Friday, during a skydiving festival in Ottawa, about 80 miles southwest of Chicago.

The previous record was 108 skydivers which was set in 2009.