Shane McConkey to Ski BASE Jump Off Reno Casino Sat., Nov. 17

[willywhit]

Shane McConkey to Ski BASE Jump Off Reno Casino Sat., Nov. 17

McConkey, JT Holmes, Miles Daisher and Jesse Hall Plan to Make History with First-Ever

Ski Base Jumps Off a Building to Benefit Make-a-Wish

Who:

A competitive ski racer who also has 730 BASE jumps under his belt, 38-year-old Shane McConkey has traveled around the world to jump off some of the highest cliffs on Earth -- often while being filmed by crews from the likes of Warren Miller Entertainment and Matchstick Productions. The next journey will lead McConkey to downtown Reno, Nev. where he plans to ski BASE jump from the roof of the 38-story Silver Legacy Resort Casino. The Olympic Valley, Calif. resident plans to make history in Reno as the first ski BASE jumper to jump from a building.

McConkey will be joined by ski BASE jumpers JT Holmes of Olympic Valley, Calif. (a University of Nevada, Reno student), Miles Daisher of Twin Falls, Idaho and Jesse Hall of Niwot, Colo.

What:

The four BASE jumpers will ski off a ramp packed with more than 1,000 pounds of ice from the roof of the Silver Legacy located at 407 North Virginia Street. The ramp, custom-designed by Reno resident Matt Knesek, will project the athletes over Fourth Street. Spectators can expect to see the athletes perform aerial tricks before pulling their parachute chords to land in the surface parking lot of the Eldorado Hotel Casino at the corner of Fourth and Sierra Streets.

Billed as “Shane McConkey’s Jump of Joy,” the BASE jumps are a part of BoboFest OhSeven – a full day of ski-themed events benefitting the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Northern Nevada. Other events include a screening of Warren Miller’s PLAYGROUND, an after party with Sol Jib, and a wine, cheese and chocolate pairing party with ski legends. Tickets and more information are available from Bobo’s Ski + Board online at www.bobos.com or by phone at 775-826-9096.

According to Wikipedia, base jumping is a sport involving the use of a parachute to jump from fixed objects. “BASE” is an acronym that stands for the four categories of fixed objects from which one can jump: buildings, antennas, spans (bridges or arches) or earth (cliffs or other natural formation).

When:

Saturday, November 17. All four athletes are scheduled to BASE jump in succession at 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.

Where:

The event is free to spectators who can watch all of the action from the ground at Fourth and Sierra Streets in downtown Reno.

Why:

Organizers could not think of a better way to kick of the 07-08 ski season in Reno-Tahoe, America’s Adventure Place.

http://www.silverlegacyreno.com/index_noflash.aspx

[Justin A.]

This kinda balances out RCR wanting to pull their jumps. Awesome.

[skipuppy]

I sent an email to my mom and sister- they will probably be there

[willywhit]

wish I could be there to provide some immoral support

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeUsy0qhk_o&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeUsy0qhk_o&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

and

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00wYgoG19Kk&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00wYgoG19Kk&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[Randy T.]

I think I'll go down and check this out. I'm probably not going to the movie this year but the base jump should be cool to watch!

[willywhit]

"You ever take it off any sweet jumps?"

You got like three feet of air that time.

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr6Na4NH7J8&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr6Na4NH7J8&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[Randy T.]

Some pics from the jump. It was really cool to see.

[Randy T.]

more pics

[Randy T.]

Here are a couple videos. I don't know how to imbed them.

[b0ardski]

biggest baddest backscratcher ever:eek:

[willywhit]

thanks Randy, that was AWESOME !

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071117/VIDEO/71117027&oaso=news.rgj.com/breakingnews

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071117/VIDEO/71117027&oaso=news.rgj.com/breakingnews

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJNW-3p0KV4&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJNW-3p0KV4&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjDdpE8BCuw&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjDdpE8BCuw&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[skipuppy]

What happens to the skis?

[Randy T.]

What happens to the skis?

I don't know why Shane's skis came off, it looks like the force of the chute might have caused it but they landed in the parking lot, probably half way between the group of people and where he landed. That could have been really ugly if they would have gone into the crowd. All those people on the sidewalk that you see right behind his landing spot were cleared out before the next jumper. Did your mom and sister make it down there or to the movie?

Thanks for posting the link to the RGJ videos Willy. I heard about Jesse getting his ski caught in the chute but I hadn't seen it because we left before that jump.