Highest jump on a BMX bike-world record set by Kevin
Robinson
[June
13] NEW YORK, NY, USA--The iconic grounds of Central Park
became the launching pad for BMX legend Kevin
Robinson as he soared into the world record books
by airing 54 feet off the ground -- equivalent to nearly a
six story building -- breaking the world record for highest
air on a BMX bike in the second-ever Red
Bull Experiment.
Photo: Kevin
Robinson hurled himself down a 60 foot high roll-in
at speeds over 45 mph, up a 27 foot Super Quarter Pipe and
aired 27 feet above the ramp, against the back drop of the
world-renowned New York City skyline. Photo courtesy Red Bull
Photofiles (enlarge
photo)
After nearly an hour and six attempts trying
for the record, Kevin broke it by one inch, at 26.7 feet.
Not feeling satisfied, he did another attempt to increase
the record by another five inches.
"There is no better feeling than setting a goal
and accomplishing it, no matter what adversity you have to
face. You persevere through and you will come out successful,"
said Kevin after friends and family celebrated with him on
the ramp.
Kevin
Robinson, the winner of seven X Games medals, including
three gold, made his attempt on a never before built Super
Quarter Pipe. This feat was experimental in many ways -- from
the construction of the ramp, to the speed it took to break
the record, the g-forces on his body and ultimately the never
before reached height on a BMX bike.
A crowd of thousands and Red Bull athletes, including
fellow world record holder Simon Dumont and 2008 Olympic team
member Jill Kintner, supported Kevin
Robinson as sports history was made. Also in attendance
were New England Patriots Wes Welker and Lonnie Paxton and
surprise guest late night talk show host David Letterman,
where Kevin is due to appear on Monday, June 16th.
A BMX legend, Kevin
Robinson is one of only a few athletes that has competed
in every X Games since the inaugural event in 1995 and since
then has grown into one of the most respected action sports
stars of his generation. There has been no more deserving
winner of the "Most Outstanding Athlete" award than Kevin
in 2007.
A committed family man with two kids, Kevin trains
as hard as any elite athlete in the world and even works out
with football star Junior Seau. He also sits on the board
of Junior's charity foundation. It is Kevin's confidence,
hard work and dedication that allow him to accomplish a feat
such as this.
Is he crazy?
"People say that all the time. 'Oh, you got to
be crazy,' " he said before a riding session at Camp Woodward,
the action sports facility in rural central Pennsylvania.
"It's not like that at all. I've been doing this for 25 years."
OK then, is he scared?
"If it's something new, then yeah, I'm scared.
I'm not deathly afraid . . . but I also have the confidence
in what I'm doing. I've been doing this long enough. I trust
my skill level."
Why do it?
"I'm doing this for my personal goal," said Robinson,
muscles rippling under his T-shirt. "For me it's always about
new ways to challenge myself."
Mat Hoffman, Robinson's bike sponsor and mentor,
set the previous Guinness Book of World Records mark in 2004
by soaring 26 1/2 feet above the top of a 24-foot ramp.
Video: Kevin Robinson sets BMX World Record:27 FEET!
