NEW YORK — Nik Wallenda says he “freaked” out when his balancing pole slipped during a high-wire walk with his sister above New York’s Times Square.
Nik and Lijana Wallenda spoke Monday on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” just hours after their harrowing feat.
Nik Wallenda said the scare occurred as his sister knelt so he could step over her while they crossed paths 25 stories above the pavement.
“My pole started to slide down,” he said, adding that he briefly lost his grip. “It freaked me out for a second” – though his voice and facial expression remained outwardly calm during riveting close-ups shown on television.
Lijana Wallenda was performing with him for the first time since she had a near-fatal fall in 2017.
She conceded that she felt “a little shaky in the legs” for the first 20 feet.
But “it becomes home,” she said. “This is what I’ve done my whole life. … It’s peaceful.”
Lijana Wallenda said she could have quit wire walking after her traumatic fall but “I wouldn’t let that fear consume me.”
She is “living proof” that anybody can step out of their comfort zone and overcome their own fears, her brother said.
After conquering Times Square, Nik Wallenda says he’s got his eye on an “active volcano.”
Send questions/comments to the editors.
-
Varsity Maine
Local roundup: Lawrence boys basketball nabs win over Skowhegan
-
Varsity Maine
Boys basketball: Cony and Winslow working to fill large holes this season
-
Lewiston-Auburn
Historically mild January leaves Maine lakes with dangerously thin ice
-
Business
Biden’s choice on economic aid: Deal with GOP or go for it all
-
Business
Mixed finish on Wall Street as worldwide rally takes a pause
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi {SUB NAME}, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have one? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login to participate in the conversation. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.