Russian breaks base jumping record

Russian base jumper Valery Rozov has set a new world record after falling for 90 seconds from a 6543 metre mountain in the Indian…

Russian base jumper Valery Rozov has set a new world record after falling for 90 seconds from a 6543 metre mountain in the Indian Himalayas.

Base jumping is an extreme sport which involves jumping from cliffs, bridges, buildings and towers.

The 47-year-old began his record attempt with a 30-day expedition which included a six-day ascent to the top of Shivling in the Himalayan mountain range - the first time Russians had ever reached the summit.

He then jumped from the summit in a wingsuit before deploying a parachute and landing safely a mere 90 seconds later, having hit speeds of 200km/h on the way.

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His fellow expedition members took three days to complete the descent using more traditional means.

“This was my first project in the Himalayas,” said the two-time skydiving world champion after his record-breaking flight. “We had a few difficulties along the way, so I am really pleased that we were able to complete the jump successfully.”

The summit, which is often referred to as the "Matterhorn of the Himalayas" due to its shape, was only conquered for the first time in 1974.

The new world record is just the latest in a long line of breathtaking stunts performed by Rozov. Others include jumping into an active volcano in Kamchatka, Eastern Russia in 2009 and from Ulvetanna Peak in the Antarctic in 2010.