1,700 ft/ min sounds a lot
Just for comparison sake the maximum rate of descent permitted in my jumping days was 1,260 ft/min (21 ft/sec) with a 170 pound individual. The main we used was a 28 ft diameter (same as used in the F-86 at the time, same container as well, descent rate 19.8 ft/sec with 235 pound load) with a 24 ft diameter chest mounted reserve. Big guys would use a 35 ft diameter main and 28 ft reserve.