henric
06-12-2012, 12:20 AM
Less than five days remain before tightrope walker Nik Wallenda attempts to become the first person to cross Niagara Falls on a high wire, but the seventh-generation stuntman says he has managed to remain calm
I have that never-give-up attitude, and it will succeed on June 15," Wallenda told CTV Toronto.
http://youtu.be/3G1Ua0SrQAs
"I will be the first person to walk directly across Niagara Falls on a tightrope."
Wallenda performed with his family in Branson, Missouri over the weekend and on Friday, he will be alone as he balances 60 metres above the Niagara Falls gorge in front of a worldwide audience.
Wallenda, 33, has been walking on tightropes since he was two years old and says the Niagara crossing has been one of his life-long goals.
"The lights and audience don't intimidate me at all. If anything, they give me energy and inspiration," Wallenda said over the weekend.
When Wallenda climbs up onto the tightrope on Friday, it will be in front of a worldwide audience watching on television and tens of thousands of spectators gathered at Niagara Falls, both in the U.S. and Canada.
Niagara Parks Police Chief Douglas Kane said visitors to the Falls typically peak on New Year's Eve, when approximately 50,000 -- 60,000 spectators descend on the area.
By contrast, Wallenda's staff estimate next week's high-wire event will attract as many as 120,000 people on the Canadian side alone.
The crush of spectators is expected to put pressure on the region's police force and transit system.
Police and emergency services on both sides of the border have been coordinating to prepare for the stunt, and a 2.5-metre high fence will be constructed on the Canada side to control the crowd.
Several roadways will be closed in order to manage traffic, including parts of Niagara Parkway surrounding the Falls starting at 4 p.m.
The Canada Border Services Agency says it expects the Rainbow Bridge border crossing to be especially busy ahead of the performance.
Anyone planning to cross the border ahead of the performance is encouraged to monitor traffic conditions and give themselves plenty of time.
Those driving across the border can checked wait times on the CBSA website or check the CBSA's border wait time Twitter feed.
Park officials, meantime, are urging people planning to attend the event to use public transit.
In order to accommodate the increased demand for public transportation, Niagara Transit will be providing 20 buses to shuttle spectators from nearby parking lots to the Falls, said Kane.
GO Transit is also offering special service on June 15 from Union Station to the Falls.
Wallenda recently ran into some difficulties while preparing his walk. The helicopter company that was originally slated to bring the rope across the falls dropped out, forcing Wallenda to seek another company.
Despite the setback, Wallenda is confident he will attempt the perilous crossing as planned.
"It has been a long, long process. A lot of doors have closed in my face. But one thing that always stood true was what my grandfather taught us, and that is to never give up," Wallenda said.
With files from CTV Toronto's
I have that never-give-up attitude, and it will succeed on June 15," Wallenda told CTV Toronto.
http://youtu.be/3G1Ua0SrQAs
"I will be the first person to walk directly across Niagara Falls on a tightrope."
Wallenda performed with his family in Branson, Missouri over the weekend and on Friday, he will be alone as he balances 60 metres above the Niagara Falls gorge in front of a worldwide audience.
Wallenda, 33, has been walking on tightropes since he was two years old and says the Niagara crossing has been one of his life-long goals.
"The lights and audience don't intimidate me at all. If anything, they give me energy and inspiration," Wallenda said over the weekend.
When Wallenda climbs up onto the tightrope on Friday, it will be in front of a worldwide audience watching on television and tens of thousands of spectators gathered at Niagara Falls, both in the U.S. and Canada.
Niagara Parks Police Chief Douglas Kane said visitors to the Falls typically peak on New Year's Eve, when approximately 50,000 -- 60,000 spectators descend on the area.
By contrast, Wallenda's staff estimate next week's high-wire event will attract as many as 120,000 people on the Canadian side alone.
The crush of spectators is expected to put pressure on the region's police force and transit system.
Police and emergency services on both sides of the border have been coordinating to prepare for the stunt, and a 2.5-metre high fence will be constructed on the Canada side to control the crowd.
Several roadways will be closed in order to manage traffic, including parts of Niagara Parkway surrounding the Falls starting at 4 p.m.
The Canada Border Services Agency says it expects the Rainbow Bridge border crossing to be especially busy ahead of the performance.
Anyone planning to cross the border ahead of the performance is encouraged to monitor traffic conditions and give themselves plenty of time.
Those driving across the border can checked wait times on the CBSA website or check the CBSA's border wait time Twitter feed.
Park officials, meantime, are urging people planning to attend the event to use public transit.
In order to accommodate the increased demand for public transportation, Niagara Transit will be providing 20 buses to shuttle spectators from nearby parking lots to the Falls, said Kane.
GO Transit is also offering special service on June 15 from Union Station to the Falls.
Wallenda recently ran into some difficulties while preparing his walk. The helicopter company that was originally slated to bring the rope across the falls dropped out, forcing Wallenda to seek another company.
Despite the setback, Wallenda is confident he will attempt the perilous crossing as planned.
"It has been a long, long process. A lot of doors have closed in my face. But one thing that always stood true was what my grandfather taught us, and that is to never give up," Wallenda said.
With files from CTV Toronto's