Baumgartner - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Felix Baumgartner is an Austrian skydiver, daredevil, and BASE jumper who is best known for breaking the world record for the highest skydive in history.
- 2. Baumgartner was born on April 20, 1969, in Salzburg, Austria. He began skydiving at a young age and quickly developed a passion for extreme sports.
- 3. In 2012, Baumgartner made headlines when he completed the Red Bull Stratos mission, in which he ascended to the stratosphere in a helium balloon and jumped from a height of 128,100 feet (24 miles) above the Earth.
- 4. During his record-breaking jump, Baumgartner reached a maximum speed of 843.6 mph, breaking the sound barrier and becoming the first person to do so without the aid of a vehicle.
- 5. Baumgartner's jump was not without its risks, as he experienced a dangerous spin during freefall that could have resulted in loss of consciousness or worse. However, he was able to regain control and safely deploy his parachute.
- 6. Prior to his record-breaking jump, Baumgartner had completed numerous other daring stunts, including jumping off the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.
- 7. Baumgartner's accomplishments have earned him numerous awards and accolades, including the Laureus World Sports Award for Action Sportsperson of the Year in 2013.
- 8. In addition to his skydiving and BASE jumping exploits, Baumgartner is also a licensed helicopter pilot and former member of the Austrian military's airborne and special forces unit.
- 9. Baumgartner continues to be involved in the world of extreme sports, often serving as a mentor and inspiration to younger athletes looking to push the boundaries of what is possible.
- 10. Overall, Felix Baumgartner's record-breaking skydive and his other daring stunts have solidified his reputation as one of the most fearless and accomplished extreme athletes in the world.