Held many records

Swiss high-wire artist Freddy Nock dies

The Swiss high-wire artist Freddy Nock

(Bild: AFP)

The Swiss high-wire artist Freddy Nock has died at the age of 59. He was a multiple record holder and last performed at Circus Roncalli. The circumstances of his death are still unclear, but it is now known that a police operation was carried out at his home.

Nock came from a traditional circus family that had been active in the canton of Aargau since 1860. The business was maintained until 2019. Freddy Nock was already balancing on a tightrope as a small child, later competed at circus festivals and set several world records. For example, he walked across suspension ropes on mountain railroads in St. Moritz and on the Säntnis in Switzerland.

Freddy Nock during a show

(Bild: AFP)

Crossed Lake Zurich and the Zugspitze on a high wire
In 2010, he crossed Lake Zurich over a length of 900 meters on a high wire, and a year later he walked across a cable on the glacier cableway to the highest mountain in Germany, the Zugspitze.

This year, he announced a new high-wire and world record attempt. He wanted to use a hot air balloon to balance over a rope at an altitude of more than 5,000 meters without being secured. He did not name the location.

In addition to his stunts, Nock worked as a motivational trainer on topics such as dealing with fear. The circumstances of his death are not yet known.

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