The Fernando Ferrari Administrative Center (CAFF), a building that houses most of the state secretariats of Rio Grande do Sul, in Porto Alegre, became the largest skate ramp in the world.
Skatista Sandro Dias, 50, world champion also known as Mineirinho, faced the 70 m descent, breaking the world record. The maneuvers were held at an event organized by Red Bull, which partnered with the Gaucho government to carry out an advertising action on site.
In all, there were seven descents. The first started with Mineirinho 30 meters high, and he gradually increasing the challenge, with 40 m, 50 m, 55 me 60 m. A world record was established with the descent of 65 m, but one left.
The final descent, from a height of 70 m, lasted approximately seven seconds, from the drop until the athlete reached the protection, already at the street level.
With each ramp skateboard maneuver below, the skateboarder collided against a foam wall to cushion the impact. Then he would go back to the top of the building and return from rappel to the point that was the base for descent.
The government had reported that the event would not be open to the public. According to the state executive, the absence of audience would follow security protocols adopted at similar events.
Nevertheless, the employees of the Administrative Center filled the courtyard, as well as hundreds of people who accumulated on the sidewalks of Augusto de Carvalho Avenue, in the Praia de Belas neighborhood, to accompany the event.
There were people making barbecue, street vendors selling drinks and young skaters practicing on the sidewalk.
Inaugurated in the 1980s, the Caffle became an icon of Porto Alegre architecture and inspired generations of young people to imagine skateboards for their sloping facade. For the event, the northern wing of the 85 -meter -high building and 21 floors received provisional structures that prepared the site for the maneuver.
“This has always been in my imagination as a person who lives a lifetime in Porto Alegre,” said project leader at Ti Marina Enasia, 29. “I found that the building is called CAFF today, because for me it was always the skate ramp building.”
In addition to the structures assembled for the descent, the building received Red Bull signs and a red strip stamped with the Prada brand symbol, partner of the event.
According to the state executive, there were no public costs involved. In exchange for the assignment of space, Red Bull has pledged to build two skate ramps in the state.
