Danish athlete Ida Mathilde Steensgaard completed the world’s first moving obstacle course built inside a rotating Ferris wheel. The stunt was sponsored by Red Bull and took place at Odense Harbour in Denmark. Steensgaard had to clear six custom-built obstacles while the Ferris wheel actively rotated. She is a two-time Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) world champion and the obstacle course was specially built into the 98-foot-high (30-metre) Ferris wheel. What’s also interesting is that the skills she showed are the same techniques used by fire departments for an emergency rescue from a Ferris wheel.

The Clark County Fire Department in Las Vegas, Nevada is ready to climb the 550 foot High Roller observation wheel

The stunt had a bit of a feel of American Ninja Warrior, which interestingly often films at the Universal Studios. Universal Studios Hollywood theme park will also host events for the 2028 Olympics. Ferris wheel obstacle course probably won’t become its own sport anytime soon, but it’s fun to see athletes interacting with the rides in a unique way.

Steensgaard’s stunt was 18 months in the making, but this isn’t Red Bull’s first stunt involving a Ferris wheel. Earlier this year Andrea Principi performed a record-breaking kite boarding stunt off of Ain Dubai, the world’s tallest Ferris wheel. The next time you’re riding your favorite Ferris wheel remember these stunts and you’ll probably have a greater appreciation for the bravery and skill of these athletes.

The Ferris wheel has been a staple of theme parks, amusement parks and carnivals for over 100 years. The Ferris wheel was invented by George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Ferris was a bridge builder and designed to rival the Eiffel Tower from the 1889 World’s Fair. It was shockingly big at the 264 feet and it was an immediate hit.

Ida Mathilde Steensgaard’s Ferris wheel climb was fascinating to watch. At the top of a Ferris wheel I’ve wondered if someone could climb down if they had to or how someone might be rescued if it got stuck. They’d probably manually rotate the wheel if they could or use an emergency motor, but it may be necessary for someone to climb in some instances. This is the case with some of the biggest wheels as it’s well publicized that the Clark County Fire Department in Las Vegas, Nevada is ready to climb the 550 foot High Roller observation wheel. You can even see a video of a simulated Ferris wheel rescue from the High Roller online where guests are harnessed and lowered to the ground from incredible heights! Most theme parks probably have similar practices with their local fire rescue on a regular basis. Hopefully wheel climbs are more for sport than necessity, but it’s good to know people are at the ready should it be necessary.