Slackliner misses out on world record 3.6km tightrope walk from Italy to Sicily

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Jaan Roose prepares for an incredible journey across the Strait of Messina.

Jaan Roose prepares for an incredible journey across the Strait of Messina.

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Step by step, Jaan moves with grace and focus.

Step by step, Jaan moves with grace and focus.

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The wind challenges his every move.

The wind challenges his every move.

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Terror grips the crowd as Jaan falls.

Terror grips the crowd as Jaan falls.

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Undeterred, Jaan climbs back to continue his journey.

Undeterred, Jaan climbs back to continue his journey.

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He reaches Sicily, triumphant despite the challenges.

He reaches Sicily, triumphant despite the challenges.

An athlete from Estonia has made history as the first person to cross Italy’s Strait of Messina on foot, completing a breathtaking 2.4-mile (3.6km) journey along a slackline high above the water on Wednesday (July 10). However, just 262ft from the finish, Roose fell off the tightrope, with the rules of his discipline requiring a completed crossing without a fall to validate a record. The slip off the line therefore meant he was unable to claim what would have been an impressive world record.