On balance, a towering feat of courage by tightrope star

Daredevil Nik Wallenda wowed Chicago and the world with two skyscraper crossings on a tightrope without a safety net or a harness.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Nov 2014, 17:52 BST
Daredevil Nik Wallenda steps out on the wire backwardsDaredevil Nik Wallenda steps out on the wire backwards
Daredevil Nik Wallenda steps out on the wire backwards

Thousands of cheering fans packed the streets around the city’s Marina City towers to watch the 35-year-old, heir to the Flying Wallendas family business, complete the back-to-back walks, including one wearing a blindfold.

As he stepped from the wire after completing the second leg, he tore off his blindfold and waved to the crowd, who erupted in cheers.

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The spectacle was telecast with a seconds-long delay on the Discovery Channel so producers could cut away if Mr Wallenda fell.

Daredevil Nik Wallenda steps out on the wire backwardsDaredevil Nik Wallenda steps out on the wire backwards
Daredevil Nik Wallenda steps out on the wire backwards

It took him about six and a half minutes to walk the 454ft-stretch at a 19-degree incline from the Marina City west tower to the top of a building on the other side of a river.

“I love Chicago, and Chicago definitely loves me,” said Mr Wallenda as he walked the wire, with the crowd of thousands below him screaming in support.

The next stage of his high-wire event he undertook blindfolded – a 94ft walk between the two Marina City towers, Chicago landmarks.

Related topics:Chicago