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[title]An estimated crowd of 50,000 people converged in the Loop last night to stare up at high-wire artist Nik Wallenda as he completed two walks 50-stories above the pavement, without a harness or a net. For his first feat, Wallenda traversed a wire strung between the western Marina City tower and the Leo Burnett building, requiring him to climb a 19 degree incline. Wallenda completed the walk in six minutes and 51 seconds and quickly prepared for his second walk of the evening.
The night's second feat required to Wallenda to cross a wire between the Marina City towers while blindfolded. Wallenda's father shouted out orders through a megaphone as his son crossed the wire in one minute and 17 seconds. When asked about his speed at a post-walk press conference, Wallenda answered, "When I get nervous on a wire, I walk faster."
The event was broadcast live by the Discovery Channel, which turned the walks into a two-hour television event. At the end of the night, Wallenda walked away with two Guinness World Records, and is already planning his next death-defying stunt. Check out photos of Wallenda's record-breaking walks and the crowd that gathered to cheer him on.