Zorbing world record smashed in Dunmanway

By David Forsythe

A DUNMANWAY adventurer has smashed cricket star Freddy Flintoff’s Guinness World Record for zorbing 100m in the fastest time. 

James Duggan, who runs Funmanway Adventure Land shaved more than three seconds off Flintoff’s record, completing the 100m zorbing run in 23.13 seconds. Flintoff’s record of 26.59 seconds had stood since 2012 when he made 14 different world record attempts as part of BBC Sport Relief.

The new record attempt took place durning the Sam Maguire Harvest Festival in Dunmanway, the event celebrates the town’s most famous son, who gave his name to the All Ireland football trophy.

James had two referees adjudicate his attempt and must now await official confirmation from the Guinness Book of Records which could take two or three weeks. The course had to be mapped out in detail beforehand to ensure it met the criteria for the record attempt, as the terrain is not allowed to drop more than 10 inches over the 100m duration.

A delighted James said that the record attempt had been something he has been considering for some time.

‘It took a lot of preparation with the course and everything and the weather is also a big consideration,’ he said. ‘You have to have the right conditions if you want to give it a proper attempt and the wind in particular is something you have to watch for. Thankfully the conditions on the day were just right so we were delighted to be able to beat the record.’

James hopes he will inspire others to take up the challenge. ‘I’ve laid down the challenge now to some lads in GAA clubs and that sort of thing so maybe we’ll see some tough competition for this zorbing record in the future!’