RedBull x Jaan Roose: slackline on the Strait of Messina

In July 2024, the world witnessed an unprecedented feat: world slackline champion Jaan Roose crossed the Strait of Messina, walking on a line just 1.9 centimeters wide and suspended over 260 meters above the ground. This event, organized in collaboration with Red Bull, was a true masterpiece of engineering and technical planning. The technical expertise of FACE made this extraordinary achievement possible, as the company managed the technical direction of the entire project with precision and competence.

Jaan Roose’s feat was not only visually spectacular but also represented an unprecedented logistical and engineering challenge. The technical team had to overcome extraordinary difficulties to ensure the athlete’s safety and the stability of the slackline, which spanned over 3.6 kilometers across one of the world’s most turbulent stretches of water.

Technical planning: a unique challenge

The complexity of this project required an in-depth understanding of environmental and structural conditions. FACE’s engineers and surveyors conducted a detailed analysis of the winds, marine currents, and forces acting on suspended structures, carefully studying the characteristics of the Strait of Messina. Constructing the slackline, as long as three football fields, involved the use of advanced materials, and its tension was calibrated with millimeter precision to counteract the strong gusts of wind crossing the strait.

Protecting the landscape and the environment

FACE worked with meticulous attention to preserving the natural environment and the surrounding landscape. The Strait of Messina is not only one of Italy’s most stunning and complex marine areas but also a delicate ecosystem that demands extreme care during any technical intervention. Leveraging their technical expertise, FACE successfully installed the slackline without causing any negative impact on the environment, ensuring the event adhered to all environmental regulations.

The importance of technical coordination

The event’s success required tremendous coordination among the various technical teams involved. FACE’s engineers worked closely with local authorities and Red Bull’s production team to ensure every aspect was executed perfectly. The complexity of the project, which required several days of preparation, culminated in Roose’s extraordinary crossing, defying gravity and weather conditions to accomplish a historic feat.

Media resonance: coverage and live streaming

A critical aspect of this feat was its media impact. The event was broadcast live on Mediaset’s Channel 20 and streamed on Tgcom24 and Sportmediaset.it, reaching a broad audience across Italy. FACE’s involvement as an organizational partner ensured exceptional coverage, while Fastweb, one of Italy’s leading telecommunications operators, provided technological support for the streaming connection through its 5G network, guaranteeing smooth, high-quality image transmission.

PHOTO: https://www.redbull.com/it-it/jaan-roose-attraversa-stretto-di-messina-slackline