We will not publish comments that are profane, libelous, racist, or engage in personal attacks.Preference is given to commenters who use real names.Please be advised:Ĭomments are moderated and will not appear on site until they have been reviewed.Ĭomments are not open on some news articles Bell Media reserves the right to choose commenting availability. Bell Media reviews every comment submitted, and reserves the right to approve comments and edit for brevity and clarity. "I'm working on everything from the pyramids in Egypt, to a big walk in New York City, to an active volcano," Wallenda said. He said that the walk would be longest of his career. Walenda's next planned feat will be in August, when he is scheduled to walk a tightrope at least 10 stories above the Milwaukee Mile racetrack on the grounds of the Milwaukee State Fair. Not necessarily in Orlando originally, but I'm glad that it panned out here in my home state," Wallenda said. "This is something that I've wanted to do for quite some time. But it wasn't until months later that he was approached about staging a performance there.īeing born and raised in Florida, the Sarasota resident said he couldn't resist. While walking along International Drive, a tourist-rich area miles from Disney World known for its shopping and restaurants, he noticed the Eye in the initial stages of construction. The seventh-generation member of the famous Flying Wallendas said this week that the idea for Wednesday's walk came during a family trip to Orlando last year. "My shoes are soaking wet, actually, on the bottom of them," he said. Wallenda estimated the wind was about 20 mph but "not too overwhelming." He also said the structure was "really wet" when he stepped out on the wheel's surface. The weather held up for the walk, though the skies were cloudy. But because Guinness officials weren't present, it won't be an official record until it is certified by the organization. Wednesday's walk could establish a new Guinness Book record for the greatest walk at the top of an observation wheel. Wallenda is the great-grandson of Karl Wallenda, who fell to his death during a tightrope stunt in Puerto Rico at 73. He said that he prays, thinks about death, and practices rigorously while calculating risks. Other previous tightrope walks took him to the brink of Niagara Falls in 2012 and across a Grand Canyon-area gorge in 2013.Ī married father of three children, Wallenda doesn't take his events lightly. Wednesday's feat came after one in November, in which Wallenda made two Chicago skyscraper crossings on high wires. "What an amazing feeling it was up there." "We're inspiring people to do greater things, to step out of their comfort zones," Wallenda said afterward. He stopped at one point between capsules to wave to the assembled crowd of about 100 below.Īfter his walk, Wallenda took a moment to capture a selfie with his phone before riding down to the ground atop one of the wheel's capsules. Wallenda rode to the top of the wheel and then navigated up ladders and around parts of the structure to begin his four-minute trek along its six-inch rim. atop the city's newest attraction, which is set to open to the public early next month. The 36-year-old started his walk shortly after 8 a.m. Wallenda successfully completed a walk across the rim of the 400-foot Orlando Eye observation wheel Wednesday morning in Florida. He can now add a spinning Ferris wheel to the list. The performances of daredevil tightrope walker Nik Wallenda have taken him between Chicago skyscrapers, across Niagara Falls and through a gorge near the Grand Canyon.
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