Wallenda walked over the canyon on a tightrope, approximately 1400 feet across, without using any type of harness or restraint. Wallenda believes the harness creates a false sense of security and diminishes a craft that his family has spent generations learning to perfect. The untethered walk was also a chance to honour his great-grandfather, the legendary Karl Wallenda, who died after falling from a tightrope in Puerto Rico in 1978.
The tightrope crossing took place in a remote section of the Grand Canyon operated by the Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation and served as a spectacular backdrop to the event.
"The Grand Canyon was a place I visited as a kid. For as long as I can remember, it has been a dream of mine to cross over such a spectacular setting," said the 34-year-old Wallenda, a seventh-generation member of the legendary Flying Wallenda family. "I'm incredibly grateful to the Navajo Nation for allowing me to accomplish my dream and Discovery Channel for trusting in my abilities."
The Grand Canyon walk marks Nik Wallenda's eighth world record, including his 2012 tightrope walk directly over the Niagara Falls from the United States to Canada. He is currently planning his next major feat, which may include stringing a wire between the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building.
"Wallenda achieved what no other tightrope walker could've accomplished. It was nail-biting viewing from start to finish, and Discovery Channel is pleased to have played a part in documenting history in the making. We look forward to broadcasting more ground-breaking walks by Nik Wallenda in the future," said Lee Hobbs, channel director, emerging business, Discovery Networks, CEEMEA.
The live episode can be downloaded via satellite on the following link: http://premieretvmedia.com/Client/Discovery/SkywireLive/.
