Monday, May 31, 2010

Don't look before you leap! Dare-devil Frenchman jumps off Eiffel Tower in skates

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zqfVqCxopQendofvid
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By Daily Mail Reporter

French roller-skater Taig Kris set a new world record for the longest jump with roller-skates on when he dropped off the Eiffel Tower


Huge crowds gathered under the Eiffel Tower in Paris yesterday to watch a world champion extreme sportsman attempt to jump off the famous landmark with inline skates on.

Thousands of nervous bystanders lined the avenues around the famous monument to watch Frenchman Taig Khris perform the dangerous feat.


And he's off: Taig Khris jumps the 30 meter halfpipe from the first floor of the Eiffel Tower


The 34-year-old was attempting a new Guinness world record for the longest freefall from a structure onto a landing ramp.

He made his death-defying leap from the 131ft high first floor of the tower onto a giant sized quarter pipe ramp built below.

He fluffed his first attempt after losing his footing and sliding down at speed into a giant air bag. However undaunted he was went back for a second try.


Going, gone: Taig Khris dropped a record 39ft from a 131ft platform attached to the Eiffel Tower


This time he landed cleanly and raised his arms in celebration and the crowd yelped and cheered. He dropped a record 39ft, beating the 28ft fall set by American Danny Way.

'I've never had such a strong adrenaline rush,' Mr Khris said.

He said his jump was 'to give people the desire to reach beyond their limits, to follow their passions, their dreams.'
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