A Pilates instructor and paramedic has performed a trapeze act at 10,000ft, whilst tethered to a hot air balloon, in an attempt to break a world record.
Anna Cochrane attempted the record of performing the highest static trapeze act, whilst suspended from a hot air balloon, on Valentine’s Day this year.
She performed at heights of between 10,400ft and 11,000ft, and her routine lasted for over five minutes. The previous record she was trying to beat took place at an altitude of just 2,171ft.
Anna’s hot air balloon spectacle took place over Ashburton, which is located on the East Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Around one minute into her high-flying routine, Anna dislocated her rib, but it did not stop her from completing the routine fully.
Eleven individuals were in the hot air balloon’s basket as Anna made her record breaking attempt, including a camera crew, pilot, two witnesses and three skydivers. The record requirements stated that Anna must have two specialist witnesses and an independent adjudicator on board, if she was to be awarded a Guinness World Record.
When Anna’s act was over, she said: “I’m really proud of how all the team of experts came together, it’s still unbelievable that it actually happened.”
After completing the act, Anna submitted her evidence to the Guinness World Records team, who assessed and verified it, before confirming that she had indeed broken the world record.
If you would like to get in on the hot air balloon action, it is possible to book hot air balloon rides in Bristol, Bath and beyond.
