Estonian slackliner Jaan Roose made history by crossing continents on a tightrope that stretched over Istanbul’s iconic July 15th Martyrs Bridge. Roose, representing Red Bull, crossed the rope which spanned 1,074 meters and was suspended 165 meters above the Bosphorus Strait. This remarkable feat, reported by Hurriyet Daily News, marks the first time anyone has achieved such a high-altitude crossing between Asia and Europe on foot.
As per the report, the event, part of the Continental Pass, began on the Asian side of the Bosphorus Strait and took Roose just 47 minutes to complete. The feat was supported by Turkey’s Transport and Infrastructure Ministry and the General Directorate of Highways.
“The Bosphorus has thousands of years of historical and cultural significance, as well as an incredible natural beauty. Combine this with variable weather conditions and strong sea currents, and it was a unique location for slacklining. I made history, so I am very happy," Roose said after his historic feat, as reported by the outlet.
In the video posted by USA Today on YouTube, Roose is captured skillfully balancing on the tightrope over the Bosphorus Bridge. He can be seen secured by a safety rope in the video.
Roose, who took up slacklining after starting his athletic career in parkour, explained the technical challenges involved in his historic crossing. “The rope is about 1,074 meters long, but it sags in the middle. The rope weighs a few hundred kilos, and the tension changes with the wind. In the middle, there is a 35-40 meter sag, and we have to make sure the rope is properly tightened before I start walking," he said.
Despite the risks involved, Roose acknowledged that fear plays a crucial role in his approach. He revealed that he has a fear of heights which helps him refine his technique while maintaining safety. “In a way, everything is shaped around this fear. Managing that fear, both mentally and technically, is crucial to slacklining at this level," he added.
In July, Roose covered a distance of 3.6 kilometres on a slackline that stretched from Italy to Sicily. This daring crossing was set up over the Strait of Messina, which separates Southern Italy from Eastern Sicily, using two old power line pylons.
Against a cinematic backdrop, Roose crossed over two countries, completing the walk in 2 hours and 57 minutes by over 15,660 steps. Last year, he set a record for the longest single-building slackline walk in Qatar.
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