Thousands of onlookers in Chicago and across the globe nervously watched as famous high-wire performer Nik Wallenda did two tightrope walks with no safety net between 200-meter towers, wearing a blindfold for one. It was all broadcast online.
The 35-year-old daredevil on Sunday attracted a huge crowd of fans near Chicago’s landmark Marina City towers, who gathered to watch him make two crossings while 204 meters (671 feet) above the ground.
Wallenda had to do the first walk, which spanned for 138 meters
(454 feet) and stretched from the west tower above the river, at
a 19-degree incline. It took him less than seven minutes to
complete.
“I love Chicago and Chicago definitely loves me,” said
Wallenda while on the wire, with a crowd cheering in support.
“What an amazing roar!”
RT’s Ruptly agency estimated that more than 50,000 people gathered to watch Wallenda do his death-defying walk. Even more watched the dizzying footage from home, as it was broadcast live by the Discovery Channel.
Here's a view of Chicago you don't see too often... #WallendaWalk@ChooseChicago#MyChicagoPixpic.twitter.com/kyk3gyXDOf
— Marty Malone (@martymal1) November 3, 2014
The broadcast was intentionally delayed by about 10 seconds, so the channel could cut it off in case the walk went horribly wrong.
The second lap that the performer chose to do – between the Marina City towers – was just 30 meters (94 feet) long. But the pole-wielding artist decided to thrill the audience to the extreme by placing a blindfold around his eyes before the stunt.
WATCH HOW WALLENDA COMPLETED HIS CHICAGO WALK:
Helping Nik Wallenda do his first #skyscraperlive walk https://t.co/lmjQNw4z59 Absolutely breathtaking!
— Ian Padgham (@origiful) November 3, 2014
An amazing end to an amazing night! The Blindfold walk! https://t.co/tHd9gpxUk0
— Skyscraper Live (@SkyscraperLive) November 3, 2014