Cirque du Soleil sets a Guinness World Record

Cirque du Soleil contortionists from KOOZA, the latest touring show, have set a new Guinness World Record for the Highest Circus Act ever Performed on Tuesday, September 25 at the top of Toronto's CN Tower. Standing tall as the defining landmark of Toronto, the CN Tower-Canada's National Tower-is 553.33 metres (1,815 feet, 5 inches) high, the World's Tallest Freestanding Tower and an engineering and architectural triumph that's been designated a Wonder of the Modern World. The feat in question was performed on the CN Tower's Glass Floor observation deck, 342 meters above the ground. What's more, artist Bill Wrigley created a large (50 by 34 feet) and colourful KOOZA mural on the CN Tower grounds that served as a vibrant backdrop for this event.

KOOZA's contortionists whom set the record include; Natasha Patterson, 12, born in San Francisco. The young girl who travels with her mother on tour was initiated very early to gymnastics; she started out rhythmic gymnastics at age three and added contortionism to her repertoire at age six. As well as,Julie Bergez, 14, from France and Dasha Sovik, 16, from Russia. They both travel without their family and each one has an appointed guardian who overseas their needs on tour. Bergez is living a dream by traveling the world with Cirque du Soleil while Sovik would love to one day get into costume design and makeup for future Cirque du Soleil productions. The three girls trained up to 40 hours a week for the past five years before being asked to join the international troupe of Cirque du Soleil performers. They were previously part of a San Francisco troupe called The Mystic Pixies.

Video of Du Soleil performers I found on YouTube to go with this article.