PREVIEW

Estonian Daredevil Becomes First Person To Cross Between Continents On A Slackline. Estonian slackliner and three-time world champion Jaan Roose has made history as the first person to cross continents on a slackline. On Sunday, 15 September 2024, Roose completed a daring walk across the Bosphorus Strait, balancing on a slackline stretched over the iconic July 15 Martyrs Bridge connecting the Asian and European sides of Istanbul. Despite strong winds of 21 km/h and a temperature of 23°C, Roose finished the 1,074-metre journey in 47 minutes, traversing a more-than-a-kilometre-long rope suspended 165 metres above the water. Reflecting on the achievement, Roose said: “In addition to connecting two continents, the Bosphorus has thousands of years of historical and cultural importance, as well as incredible natural beauty”. “When you combine this with the variable weather conditions and strong sea currents, it becomes a unique location for slacklining. I made history, so I am very happy!”. The Bosphorus Strait, a vital waterway linking Europe and Asia, has long shaped Istanbul's history, from its days as Constantinople under the Byzantine Empire to its significance within the Ottoman Empire. This narrow, chameleon-blue waterway connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and, through the Dardanelles, to the Mediterranean, playing a crucial role in global trade across centuries. Roose, known for his groundbreaking feats and world records in slacklining, is also the only athlete to land a double backflip on a slackline, showcasing his technical mastery.