PREVIEW

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, who now holds the distinction of being the first person to slackline from Asia to Europe, 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.

His previous achievements include last year's "Sparkline" challenge in Qatar, where he traversed an LED-lit slackline suspended between the scimitar-shaped Iconic Towers in Lusail City, Doha.

This feat, performed at an altitude more than twice that of London’s Big Ben, set the record for the world’s longest single-building slackline walk.

Roose also walked a highline across Estonia’s tallest waterfall, Valaste, during extreme winter conditions, reaching speeds of 22 km/h and wearing five layers of socks to combat the cold.

In July, Roose conquered another challenge, walking a slackline across the Messina Strait between mainland Italy and Sicily. The 3,646-metre line was the longest ever constructed, and although a fall in the final 80 metres prevented him from officially setting a new world record, his nearly three-hour crossing surpassed the previous record distance of 2,710 metres.

Roose’s relentless pursuit of pushing boundaries continues to redefine what is possible in the sport of slacklining.