Daredevil Frenchman Franky Zapata flies hoverboard across English Channel on second attempt
- Zapata, a 40-year-old former jet-ski champion, first tried the trip on July 25 – the 110th anniversary of the first crossing of the Channel by plane
- But that bid was cut short when he fell into the water after failing to refuel – his backpack carrying only enough to keep him aloft for around 10 minutes
A Frenchman who has spent years developing a jet-powered hoverboard zoomed across the English Channel on Sunday, fulfilling his quest just 10 days after failing in a first attempt when he fell into the water while trying to refuel.
Franky Zapata set off on his “Flyboard” from Sangatte on the northern coast of France at 8:17am for the 35-kilometre trip to St. Margaret’s Bay in Dover, on England’s south coast.
Escorted by three helicopters, he glided across the water in the early morning light and landed 22 minutes later in the picturesque bay, where dozens of onlookers and journalists awaited him.
“Everything went great! Even though it was still tricky,” Zapata said after the flight, referring to a complex landing manoeuvre on a boat around three-quarters of the way across to pick up a fresh backpack full of kerosene.
He said that based on the indicators in the visor of his helmet, he raced over the busy shipping lane at a speed of 160-170 km/h, doing zigzags as he neared the coast.
