The 2014 Balls of Stone Award absolutely has to go to Dr Robert Alan Eustace, the Google Senior Vice-President of Knowledge, who broke Felix Baumgartner's parachute high jump and freefall records from the edge of space. This attempt was done quietly, without fanfare, and stunned everyone, including Baumgartner I am sure. Eustace is a 58-year-old computer scientist, not a professional athlete, and his feat in my opinion astonishing. Here are the salient facts: On October 24, 2014, Eustace made a jump from the stratosphere. The launch-point for his jump was from an abandoned runway in Roswell, New Mexico, where he began his balloon-powered ascent early that morning. He reached a reported maximum altitude of 135,908 feet—25.740 miles (41.425 km)—but the final number submitted to the World Air Sports Federation was 135,889.108 ft—25.736573 miles (41.419000 km). The balloon used for the feat was manufactured by the Balloon Facility of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Hyderabad, India.His descent to Earth lasted 15 minutes and stretched nearly 26 miles (42 km) with peak speeds exceeding 821.45 miles (1,322.00 km) per hour; setting new world records for the highest free fall jump, and total free fall distance.
Showing posts with label world record. Show all posts
Showing posts with label world record. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
The 2014 Balls of Stone Award
The 2014 Balls of Stone Award absolutely has to go to Dr Robert Alan Eustace, the Google Senior Vice-President of Knowledge, who broke Felix Baumgartner's parachute high jump and freefall records from the edge of space. This attempt was done quietly, without fanfare, and stunned everyone, including Baumgartner I am sure. Eustace is a 58-year-old computer scientist, not a professional athlete, and his feat in my opinion astonishing. Here are the salient facts: On October 24, 2014, Eustace made a jump from the stratosphere. The launch-point for his jump was from an abandoned runway in Roswell, New Mexico, where he began his balloon-powered ascent early that morning. He reached a reported maximum altitude of 135,908 feet—25.740 miles (41.425 km)—but the final number submitted to the World Air Sports Federation was 135,889.108 ft—25.736573 miles (41.419000 km). The balloon used for the feat was manufactured by the Balloon Facility of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Hyderabad, India.His descent to Earth lasted 15 minutes and stretched nearly 26 miles (42 km) with peak speeds exceeding 821.45 miles (1,322.00 km) per hour; setting new world records for the highest free fall jump, and total free fall distance.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
World's Tallest Man: From Turkey without Love!
The world's tallest man - who also has the largest hands and feet - has been named by Guinness World Records for the launch of its 2010 book. At 8ft 1in (2.47m), Sultan Kosen, from Turkey, is about 4in (10cm) taller than previous title-holder Bao Xishun. The 27-year-old's hands measure 10.8in (27.5cm) and his feet 14.3in (36.5cm).Mr Kosen, whose height is due to the medical condition pituitary gigantism, said he hoped his new-found fame would bring him love for the first time. "The first thing I want to do is have a car that I can fit in, but more than that I want to get married," he said. "Up until now it's been really difficult to find a girlfriend. I've never had one, they were usually scared of me. I'm hoping now I will find one." He went on: "Hopefully now that I'm famous I'll be able to meet lots of girls. I'd like to get married."Best of luck, Sultan.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
World Record Sprint from Usain 'Lightning' Bolt
Jamaica's Usain Bolt ran to another world record Sunday, winning the 100-meter race in 9.58 seconds at the world championships.Bolt shaved .11 seconds off the record he set at the Beijing Olympics, beating defending champion Tyson Gay, who set a US record of 9.71 seconds.
That kind of run is a staggering effort considering the runners are on the track for less than ten seconds. Not only that, he was daylight ahead of the second place athlete, making the win all the more impressive.
