In a live broadcast from San Diego, Calif., ESPN celebrated the New Year by televising the first-ever simultaneous world-record breaking distance jumps as Levi LaVallee and Robbie Maddison launched across more than 300 feet of water in San Diego’s Embarcadero Marina Park. The world-record feats set by LaVallee at 412 feet, 6 inches and Maddison at 378 feet, 9 inches were witnessed by thousands of fans in attendance as the fog cleared over the marina.

Both Maddison and LaVallee broke their own records. Maddison’s previous best was 351 feet, 3 inches, while LaVallee previously jumped 361 feet during training for the 2010 Red Bull: New Year. No Limits. Jump.

“It’s a cool feeling to do what I do and have the backing I do,” says Maddison.” I was confident we were going to go a long way tonight and we’re going to come back and go even further.”

“I’m as excited as I think a person can be,” says LaVallee. “I just landed an over 400-foot jump. I’m not sure how the sled’s doing, but I’m okay, so it was good. It’s an amazing feeling. You have no idea how pumped I am.” Continue Reading »