Manama: As part of a collaboration between the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) and the Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC), Red Bull organised a unique event in Manama, showcasing a one-of-a-kind wingsuit flight and marking one of the most notable sporting achievements ever carried out in the capital.
According to Bahrain News Agency, wingsuit athletes Dani Rom¡n and Fred Fugen accomplished a world-first at the Bahrain World Trade Centre by performing a synchronised, head-on crossing between the twin towers from opposite sides. Launching at speeds of 220 km/h each, they converged at a combined velocity of 440 km/h, covering more than 120 meters every second, and passed the crossing point just 10 meters apart.
Exiting a Black Hawk helicopter at 4,000 ft, the duo accelerated over Manama's skyline, diverged into opposite paths, and then turned back for a choreographed approach into the centerline of the iconic towers, 40m above the building's wind turbines. The athletes first envisioned this feat during a 2022 visit and embarked on a two-year journey involving planning, permits, simulations, technical mapping, and intensive flight training.
Fred Fugen, a French three-time world champion freeflyer with extensive experience, expressed that achieving the synchronised flight had been a dream for the past two years. He reflected on the journey of envisioning an unprecedented feat and accomplishing it at such a remarkable structure.
The synchronisation challenge required the athletes to align their trajectories precisely to arrive at the centerline simultaneously. Without instruments or live data, they depended on visual cues, reference points, and physical sensations to match speed and timing.
Dani Rom¡n, known for his precision in wingsuit and BASE projects, explained the difficulty of training without GPS or flight data, relying on physical perception to gauge speed. He mentioned that training can be challenging due to wind variables, but noted that the first day of filming went smoothly, with an unexpectedly seamless outcome.
The preparation included over 35 training jumps in France, using a static drone to simulate the crossing point and develop repeatable reference lines, which were then adapted to the Bahrain site. A second training phase in Bahrain allowed the athletes to adjust to local flying conditions with the local helicopter crew.
The project was heavily reliant on the trust built between the athletes over years of flying together. Fugen emphasized the importance of a strong personal connection and teamwork. Rom¡n described working with Fugen as a leading figure in the sport as a remarkable experience.
The achievement was made possible through substantial support from the BTEA, which helped facilitate permits, manage logistics, and ensure safety in collaboration with the BOC and the local Red Bull team. Filmed last month in Manama, the event's video is being released today, highlighting the athletes' precision and power against the backdrop of the city that shaped the project.
Rom¡n remarked on the difficulty of achieving such a project in many countries, noting the exceptional support and openness from Bahrain's authorities. After years of preparation, the final approach took only seconds as both athletes aligned their sightlines and executed the crossover.