Jed Mildon, a 24-year-old from Taupo, New Zealand, landed the world's first triple backflip on a BMX bike in competition Saturday during the Unit T3 Mindtricks BMX Jam in Taupo.
"This is the perfect result to three intensive months of practicing and training for this moment," said Mildon following the jump, which he landed perfectly. "The impact and implications hasn't sunken in yet, but I'm so pumped to have aimed for something once deemed impossible and made my dream a reality."
A representative of the Guinness Book Of World Records was on hand to witness and approve the authenticity of the triple backflip, which Mildon had been working on into a foam pit and air bag setup for three months prior to Saturday.
According to Mildon, the previous attempts and practice still didn't calm his nerves.
"Even though I had the trick dialed perfectly into the foampit and onto an airbag set-up, I was still really nervous rolling in for my attempt, but once I was in the air it felt like time stood still and I could see each rotation perfectly," he said.
"Landing with both wheels on the downramp was the most amazing feeling in the world."
The Unit T3 Mindtricks BMX Jam in Taupo was held at a public recreational park, with Mildon carving a 66-foot high super-ramp into a hillside that connected to an 11-foot high kicker to Jed's purpose-built Mega-Megabox landing.
An estimated 2,000 spectators and some of New Zealand's best BMX riders converged on Spa Park for the Unit T3 Mindtricks BMX Jam and to witness Mildon's historic feat. Mildon also attempted the world's first double backflip tailwhip after his successful triple attempt but cased the landing. He walked away unscathed.