Estonia has once again made headlines on the international stage – this time high above the Danube in Bratislava.
On 18 September 2026, Estonian slackliner Jaan Roose set a new world record in the Slovak capital, covering 14.7 kilometres in 12 hours on a slackline suspended approximately 100 metres above the Danube.
The 666-metre-long line connected two of Bratislava’s most recognisable landmarks – the UFO observation tower on the SNP Bridge and Bratislava Castle. The strap was only 1.9 centimetres wide, making the challenge a test of balance, concentration and endurance.
Roose completed 22 crossings during the 12-hour challenge. Despite several falls, which were permitted under the rules, he continued and ultimately set the first world record for the distance covered on a slackline over 12 hours under these conditions.
From Estonia to the world
Jaan Roose is a three-time world champion in slacklining and one of Estonia’s most internationally recognised extreme athletes. He has already made history on a number of occasions – including becoming the first person to cross the Strait of Messina between mainland Italy and Sicily on a slackline and the first athlete to perform a double backflip on a slackline.
His latest achievement in Bratislava is another remarkable example of Estonian talent reaching far beyond the country’s borders.
From Estonia to Bratislava – and into the record books.