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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFrench daredevil climbs Havana hotel without net
* Thanks to Judy Lynne for the heads up on the Frenchman
** Habana Libre Hotel is an ubercool mid century modern building that was Fidel's headquarters
after being a Hilton
http://news.yahoo.com/french-daredevil-climbs-havana-hotel-without-net-191033374.html
HAVANA (AP) A French daredevil who has scaled some of the world's tallest buildings conquered Cuba's famous Habana Libre hotel on Monday without ropes or a safety net climbing to the top in about half an hour as hundreds of awed onlookers gasped and cheered from the streets below.
Alain Robert clambered onto the roof of the 27-story hotel just after 1:30 p.m. after a death-defying stunt that followed years of other hair-raising feats.
The climber had said his main concern was not the height of the 413-foot-tall (126-meter) hotel, but that a bit of the building's brittle facade might break off. Like many city landmarks, the hotel is in disrepair after more than half a century of Communist rule on the island.
In the end, the 50-year-old Frenchman made short work of the building, climbing confidently and so quickly he could have almost been riding a slow-moving elevator.
joeunderdog
(2,563 posts)That guy's a nut.
Judi Lynn
(160,527 posts)The photos are terrific. Have never seen photos of Havana from above.
The kid got a good view of his trip up the side of the hotel.
Thank you.
ManiacJoe
(10,136 posts)Buildings would normally have regularly placed hand and foot holds.
flamingdem
(39,313 posts)Oh yes he is French so no problem. Maybe after ACA kicks in we'll have more daredevils here!