The 35-year-old high-wire artist – great-grandson of Karl Wallenda of the famous Flying Wallendas circus family – performed two nail-biting walks which were televised to millions of viewers around the world.
The Discovery Channel used a 10-second delay for the broadcast, allowing producers to cut away if Wallenda fell. He performed the walks without a net or harness.
The daredevil’s challenge started just after sunset with the skyscrapers up and down the Chicago River lit up and sparkling.
First, he walked uphill at a 15-degree angle from the Marina City west tower to the top of a skyscraper on the other side of the river.
Next, he walked blindfolded between the two Marina City towers – Chicago landmarks with Hollywood credits.
Residents of Marina City were asked not to use laser pointers, camera flashes or drones that could interfere. Even grilling was been prohibited.
Two of his previous televised tightrope walks – over the brink of Niagara Falls in 2012 and across the Little Colorado River Gorge in 2013 – drew about 13 million viewers each.
The Discovery Channel hoped to capture an elusive real-time audience.
Journalists covering Sunday night’s event signed waivers relinquishing their right to claim emotional distress if they witness a catastrophe.
A year before Wallenda was born, his great-grandfather fell to his death during a tightrope stunt in Puerto Rico. He was 73.
– Skynews.com.au
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