Famous wire walker Nik Wallenda is getting ready for yet another risky challenge. This time the stunt man will be walking across skyscrapers in Chicago.
To prepare, he is practicing for three weeks in Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota.
If you come to visit Benderson Park in Sarasota, you may want to look up. You may just see Nik Wallenda. The world renowned tightrope walker is practicing at the park to prepare for his latest stunt in Chicago.
“People might think that a wire walker wouldn’t want to go to a windy city, but I love challenging myself," said Wallenda.
A challenge this will be. On November 2, Wallenda will walk from the Marina Towers in downtown Chicago, then travel uphill at a 15-degree angle more than two city blocks across the Chicago River.
The rig at Benderson Park closely resembles that set up, but on a smaller scale.
“These cables instead of being 100 feet long are now 7-800 feet long," he said.
Wallenda's balancing pole is about 45 lbs. A pretty heavy weight considering he’ll be about 600 feet up in the air on a wire that’s about the size of a nickel.
And to make his challenge even harder, he’ll be blindfolded. This portion of the event will come towards the end of his show. Wallenda said he had the idea when he underwent eye surgery.
“It is amazing how much your other senses take over at that point," he said.
With the added challenge, comes more risk. Wallenda needs riggers he trusts like friend Michael Richter.
“We check every cable. We check every ratchet," Richter said.
With three weeks of practice in Sarasota and a trusting crew, Wallenda said he is ready for the Windy City and the challenges it will bring.
Nik’s practices are open to the public and will continue through Oct. 28.