The iconic grounds of Central Park became the launching pad for BMX legend Kevin Robinson as he soared into the world record books by airing 54 feet off the ground -- equivalent to nearly a six story building -- breaking the record for highest air on a BMX bike in the second-ever Red Bull Experiment.
Kevin hurled himself down a 60 foot high roll-in at speeds over 45 mph, up a 27 foot Super Quarter Pipe and aired 27 feet above the ramp, against the back drop of the world-renowned New York City skyline.
After nearly an hour and six attempts trying for the record, Kevin broke it by one inch, at 26.7 feet. Not feeling satisfied, he did another attempt to increase the record by another five inches. "There is no better feeling than setting a goal and accomplishing it, no matter what adversity you have to face. You persevere through and you will come out successful," said Kevin after friends and family celebrated with him on the ramp.
Th
e previous record of 26.5 feet was held by BMX pioneer and Kevin's mentor and sponsor Mat Hoffman, who was on site to witness the feat.
Kevin, the winner of seven X Games medals, including three gold, made his attempt on a never before built Super Quarter Pipe. This feat was experimental in many ways -- from the construction of the ramp, to the speed it took to break the record, the g-forces on his body and ultimately the never before reached height on a BMX bike.
A crowd of thousands and Red Bull athletes, including fellow world record holder Simon Dumont and 2008 Olympic team member Jill Kintner, supported Kevin as sports history was made. Also in attendance were New England Patriots Wes Welker and Lonnie Paxton and surprise guest late night talk show host David Letterman, where Kevin is due to appear on Monday, June 16th. The Red Bull Experiment took place in Central Park and aired live on MSG and was featured on a live webcast via ESPN's 24-hour action sports destination, EXPN.com, and ESPNs signature broadband network ESPN360.com.
KEVIN ROBINSON
A BMX legend, Kevin is one of only a few athletes that has competed in every X Games since the inaugural event in 1995 and since then has grown into one of the most respected action sports stars of his generation. There has been no more deserving winner of the "Most Outstanding Athlete" award than Kevin in 2007. A committed family man with two kids, Kevin trains as hard as any elite athlete in the world and even works out with football star Junior Seau. He also sits on the board of Junior's charity foundation. It is Kevin's confidence, hard work and dedication that allow him to accomplish a feat such as this.
THE KEVIN ROBINSON INNOVATIONAL
As a follow up to the Red Bull Experiment, Kevin has invited a collection of the world's top pros to ride the ultimate Super Quarter Pipe and compete in Central Park on Saturday, June 14th. The vision for the Kevin Robinson Innovational is to select the best riders to compete in an environment that would stimulate the innovation and progression of BMX.
THE RED BULL EXPERIMENT
The Red Bull Experiment is the world's best athletes attempting world first experimental sporting feats.
The mission of the Red Bull Experiment is to give the world's best athletes the opportunity to push the boundaries of what might be humanly possible and push the progression of their sport to unfathomable levels. In the first Red Bull Experiment, motorcross star Robbie Maddison set his own world record for the longest jump on a motorbike by jumping a football field in Las Vegas on New Years Eve, 2007, clearing a distance of 322 feet.
The next Red Bull Experiment moves to the West Coast on July 11th where freestyle motocross star Ronnie Renner will attempt to set a new world record by launching himself five stories in the air on a custom-made quarter pipe against the backdrop of the world famous Santa Monica Pier.
The Red Bull Experiment provides these athletes with the tools necessary to realize their dreams and put them on show for the whole world to see. In success or failure these experiments are poised to change the way the world thinks about what is possible.
For more information on the Red Bull Experiment please visit: www.redbullexperiment.com. For complimentary images visit www.redbull-photofiles.com and video footage of the record can be downloaded from vod.oceanwatch.com.
