An Austrian slackliner has set a remarkable world record after walking 472 feet across a narrow highline suspended between two gondola cabins nearly 500 feet above the ground.
Florian Zoller completed the crossing at the Gurgl Ski Resort in Austria’s Tyrol region, balancing on a strip of webbing barely one inch wide as he made his way between two freely suspended cabins on the TOP EXPRESS gondola.
The crossing took 15 minutes and 30 seconds and more than doubled the previous world record of 213 feet for highlining between cable car cabins.
According to the official account of the record-setting attempt, Zoller had been pursuing the idea for eight years before finally making it happen. He spent the past year preparing specifically for the unusual challenges involved in walking between suspended gondolas rather than fixed anchor points.
Walking Between Two Suspended Gondolas
The record attempt took place on the TOP EXPRESS gondola, which connects the Obergurgl and Hochgurgl sections of the Austrian ski resort.
Unlike conventional highlining, where the line is secured to stationary anchors, Zoller’s setup used two gondola cabins that could swing and tilt in response to his movements.
Every step sent vibrations through the line and into the cabins, which then transferred additional movement back into the webbing. During the crossing, the gondolas reportedly tilted by approximately 12 degrees.
The line also sagged considerably, creating an increasingly steep climb as Zoller approached the opposite cabin.
The project required extensive technical planning, permits and safety preparations. Additional weight was installed in the gondola cabins to improve stability, while sensors monitored the forces acting on the system throughout the attempt.
More Than Double the Previous World Record
The previous world record of 213 feet was established in September 2021 by Yannick Loerwald, Justin Kroppa and Thomas Spottl, who crossed between two gondolas at Austria’s Brandnertal ski resort.
Zoller’s 472-foot crossing more than doubled that distance, establishing a new benchmark for highlining between suspended cable car cabins.
The International Slackline Association’s sport commission has provided written confirmation that the crossing will be officially verified as a world record.
Zoller has been practicing slacklining for 17 years, but the unconventional setup at Gurgl presented a challenge unlike a traditional mountain highline. After eight years of pursuing the idea and a year of focused preparation, the entire installation and record attempt were completed in a single day.
