C is for Circus

Well, the timing of the letter C couldn't have been better for me.  World renowned circus performer and Sarasota native Nik Wallenda successfully completed another daring skywalk yesterday morning in downtown Sarasota. Way up high, above the treetops, 180 feet in the air, Nik walked over U.S. 41 on a high wire from a crane along Sarasota Bay to the top of a condo building without a safety harness or net. 

It was a bit more blustery than Nik anticipated and there were some issues with the crew jerking a line on the ground, but he made his 600 foot journey seem effortless one step at a time.  Just like his walk across Niagara Falls last summer, Nik wore a microphone and he talked live on television during the entire event explaining what was going on moment to moment.

As you can imagine, the estimated 10,000-12,000 spectators gathered on the ground at the bayfront to watch Nik's death defying feat, were captivated by the nerve wracking stunt (including yours truly).

A self professed showman at heart, Nik couldn't help but wow the crowd about three-quarters of the way through the walk, by kneeling on the itty bitty wire and pumping his fist.  (By the way, the balance pole he was carrying weighs 45 pounds and is 42 feet long.)  What balance, strength and concentration!

With spectators craning to watch from neighboring balconies, Nik 'ran' the last several steps and safely landed on the condo building...

...much to the delight of those of all ages.  He completed the skywalk in just eight minutes -- not even long enough to get a kink in your neck from looking up.

Nik's high wire act was a publicity event for Circus Sarasota, where Nik performed twice last night after this walk.  There's a long history of circus performers in his family with direct ties to the Flying Wallendas.  And, Sarasota is also well known for its history with the circus, going back to the 1930's when John Ringling (as in the Ringling Bros. circus)  established Sarasota as the winter home for the circus, and subsequently had a tremendous impact on the development of the city.  As for the current circus generation, Nik already has his eye on his next mind boggling feat:  walking over the Grand Canyon on a high wire without a safety harness on live television this summer. We couldn't be more proud of our hometown hero.  Go get 'em, Nik!   Check out other interesting submissions for the letter C at ABC Wednesday.