Man Sets Two Records After Walking Between Chicago Skyscrapers Blindfolded

United States daredevil tightrope walker, Nik Wallenda notched up two new world records yesterday after successfully completing back-to-back high-wire walks above the city of Chicago. The heart-stopping attempts, which were viewed by thousands of onlookers along with a watching live TV audience on the Discovery Channel, saw Wallenda set new records for Highest Incline Tightrope Walk and Highest Blindfolded Tightrope Walk.

The 35-year-old completed both crossings without a safety net or a harness. For the Highest Incline Tightrope Walk record. Wallenda walked uphill rising to a 15-degree angle from the iconic Marina City's west tower to the Leo Burnett Building at more than 50 stories high above the Chicago River.

It took Nik six minutes and 52 seconds to complete the first stage 500ft (152m) above the ground - in winds that were gusting at up to 25mph (40km/h)
Then, blindfolded, he crossed the 94ft between the Marina City's and east towers in one minute 17 seconds. Part of the "Flying Wallendas," Nik comes from a long line of tightrope walkers.

He had previously walked on a tightrope over the Niagara Falls and became the first person to successfully traverse the Grand Canyon in June last year.

Source: Guiness World Records