UAE- A day when sky high dreams came true
(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)Dubai-based skydiver Jarrett Martin has smashed a world record for the longest flight time in a wind-tunnel by a disabled person.
On the six year anniversary of a tragic base jumping accident which left the 24-year-old American paralysed from the chest down he chose to celebrate not commiserate. And what a celebration it was. Leaving his wheelchair behind him the world record hopeful entered Inflight Dubai's vertical wind tunnel - which at 20 metres high is the largest in the world - hoping to beat the current record of 96 minutes. And 180 minutes later astounded onlookers cheered on as the 24-year-old left the chamber a world record holder - nearly doubling the old record. Speaking to Khaleej Times after the impressive feat Martin said it all felt a little "surreal". "I'm actually the new record holder after three hours of continuous flying. I crushed it." Last month Khaleej Times sat down with Martin in the lead-up to the record attempt. With wind speeds reaching 160kmph in the wind tunnel Martin said he was excited but not "100 per cent confident" about the record. "It's pretty tough but I think I can do it." And do it he did. But it didn't come easy he said. "It was one of the toughest things I have ever done. It required so much endurance. The first hour was the hardest for me but as soon as I crossed the 96 minute mark I knew I could carry on for another hour." No feat too high During a daredevil-feat six years ago Martin was attempting to launch himself off the side of a mountain using a two-parachute technique. If successful he would have been one of the first in the world to complete the risky stunt but things didn't go quite to plan. A failure in the complex harnessing system led to a failed landing. He was left wheelchair-bound at the age of 18. But since his accident in 2009 Martin has been constantly pushing the boundaries - often 18000ft up in the air. The records keep coming His recent success saw him beat the previous record set by British double amputee skydiver Alistair Hodgson. Candidate profileemirateNumber of candidatesAbu Dhabi96Dubai62Sharjah61Ras Al Khaimah41Ajman23Umm Al Quwain20Fujairah38Total341 Kelly Clarke
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