SARASOTA – Suspended high above the ground Nik Wallenda and his sister Lijana Wallenda captivated the crowd during their first public practice since the 2017 horrific accident that nearly took Lijana’s and five other performers lives.
The siblings say they both have been practicing non-stop to conquer the New York skyline. “We were able to sort of recreate what we’re going to feel over time square,” said Nik. “All of our stabilizers are laid out a little bit funky they’re not square like they’re supposed to be, and we’re trying to duplicate everything that we may experience while we are over Time Square.”
Nik says he and his sister will continue to practice for the next three weeks rain or shine to show to people the fear of the accident won’t hold him or his family back from doing what they love.
“This walk is important for me, it’s important for my immediate family for sure and I think it’s important hopefully for the viewers as well that’ll motivate and inspire them that no matter what challenge they face, life or death, they’ll be able to face that challenge and hopefully make it to the other side juts like me and Lijana will,” said Nik.
The Wallenda’s are set to walk 25 stories above Time Square on June 23rd. They can be seen practicing Tuesday-Saturday at Nathan Benderson Park from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. and 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.