Jaan Roose, a three-time world slacklining champion, recently accomplished an incredible feat by walking 3.6 kilometers on a slackline stretched across the Strait of Messina, which separates Italy from Sicily. This remarkable event was made possible through a collaboration with Red Bull, with Roose and an eight-person team securing the slackline between two old power line towers.
Roose began his journey in Santa Trada, Calabria, and successfully reached Torre Faro, Sicily, becoming the first person to complete this crossing on a slackline. His walk took 2 hours and 57 minutes, during which he took a total of 15,660 steps, carefully balancing on the line high above the strait.
Despite his impressive achievement, Roose narrowly missed breaking the world record for the longest slackline walk. Just 80 meters from the finish line, he slipped for a moment. According to Guinness World Record rules, participants must complete the walk without falling to set a new record.
After finishing, Roose expressed his excitement, stating, “I made history. It was a long walk, full of surprises from start to finish.” The event attracted significant attention, with a video of his walk going viral on Instagram, amassing over 1.2 million likes since it was posted.
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Social media users reacted with amazement and humor. One commenter noted, “Imagine the stories he will tell his grandkids,” While another remarked on the adventurous spirit of Red Bull, saying, “Whatever you’ve done, Red Bull has done it 20 times better.”
Even though Roose didn’t set a new record, his remarkable achievement highlights his skills and dedication to slacklining. His journey serves as an inspiration to many, proving that with determination and courage, incredible feats are possible.
