Latest news with #UltimateSoloSkyHang
CBC
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
'The pain was unbearable.' 3 hours hanging from a 24-storey Vancouver skyscraper was a 'battle of willpower'
Social Sharing Look up, way, way up. Yes, those are Canada's Ultimate Challenge participants hanging off the top of a 24-storey Vancouver skyscraper. The show's challenge team was looking for an epic stunt that would showcase the city's spectacular views. "The idea of someone hanging off a single rope, over one of the most beautiful cities in the country is thrilling," says senior challenge producer Cory Bell. "The hope was to have the challenge progressively get harder over time while still giving players some choice and strategy on how to succeed. Hanging off a single rope felt daunting, yet perfectly simple." This challenge was intricate and it took Bell and his team four days to build and secure the structure safely to the edge of the building. "We explored many different ways of hanging the rope. Ultimately it came down to structurally what was possible while still making the player dangling off the edge the hero shot of the challenge. Certain structures obstruct camera angles or don't allow clean shots of players' faces. There are countless elements to consider." Watch | Producer Liz Cyrus walks us through the solo sky hang challenge. Take a walk through Canada's Ultimate Challenge thrilling 'Ultimate Solo Sky Hang' 4 days ago Duration 1:29 The challenge itself was simple, the player who stays up the longest wins. "When I saw what we were going to be doing, I was in complete disbelief. It seemed almost unreal — something I'd never imagine myself willingly doing", said Team Yellow's Ene, "so, despite every nerve in my body telling me to back out, I put my personal feelings aside and committed to giving it my all." Team Blue's Tulio had already tried skydiving and had zero fear of heights while Team Red's Santina had a similar experience when she competed on Big Brother: "I once held on for nearly four hours in a similar competition. That gave me a strong sense of confidence." Team Orange's Willow, meanwhile, was looking for an exciting adrenaline rush. Team Green's Steve was reluctant but had an unusual plan. "I was wearing a vest and crossed my arms," he remembered, "I realized that I could use my vest to grip like it was a lapel in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu." He elected to hang beneath the rope like a sloth while the other players rested on top of it. His team captain Ashlyn had some concerns. "You're doing all of us. So make sure that while you're doing you, that you take everything we're saying into account," she warned. Would this decision turn out like Adam's pole hang in Season 2? Watch | Adam pole hang, Canada's Ultimate Challenge Season 2 And with that, they all headed up for the best — but most terrifying — view ever. "Walking across that narrow, two-foot plank felt like stepping into thin air," remembers Ene. "Every step I took, I could feel the instability beneath me, as if at any moment, I could lose my balance and fall." It wasn't just a physical challenge but an emotional and psychological one too. "At first, I didn't think the rope was thick enough to balance on," said Steve who revealed that he felt "instant regret once I realized that I could've rested on top of the rope for the first hour." The other four players lounged atop the rope enjoying the views — and maybe even a nap. "While I was in the air, I felt cool, calm, and completely in control," said Santina. Tulio even broke into his go-to karaoke song, Mr. Brightside by The Killers. When other players joined in, it was a heart-swelling moment of togetherness. And while Steve sang along, he was quiet about his suffering. "My forearms and calves were getting tight and lactic acid setting within 15 minutes of hanging upside down," he confessed afterwards. After one entire hour, the other players also had to finally move their bodies under the rope, finally putting them on equal ground (so to speak). "I didn't think Steve was going to last 10 minutes," said Ashlyn on the ground. "We're now an hour deep and Steve is smiling." But things finally got serious when, 90 minutes later, they had to shift to one arm. "The pain was almost unbearable. My grip was slipping, my muscles were burning, and every second felt like an eternity. It wasn't just a battle of strength; it was a battle of willpower," remembers Ene. Santina, then Willow and Ene let go when the pressure became too much, leaving Tulio and Steve. Watch | Steve's strategy on the solo sky hang challenge At the three-hour mark, Tulio made a deal that Team Blue would keep Steve's Team Green safe from the elimination round if he let go first. With that, this long battle was finally over. And while Tulio won, everyone had big respect for Steve for his Herculean effort. "It was nothing short of phenomenal, and it just goes to show how unpredictable these challenges can be," said Ene. "People will surprise you, and in that moment, Steve absolutely did." It all came together to create captivating television says Bell: "The players lasted even longer than we expected, which was great! This cast always gave it their all which made every challenge even more exciting." "I had a lot of pressure on me," Steve says, "I could not let my team down." Literally. Watch the full video on Canada's Ultimate Challenge, now streaming free on CBC Gem.
CBC
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Stakes are sky-high as reality show contestants arrive in Vancouver
Social Sharing All five teams headed from Tofino's beaches to Vancouver's urban oasis for the next leg of the game. But as the friendship bracelet came off, the competition heated up and one team was eliminated. Here's what went down. What went down on Episode 1 of Canada's Ultimate Challenge, Season 3 It was no ordinary day at the office when teams got a look at the next challenge, the "Ultimate Solo Sky Hang". One player from each team had to hang from a steel truss hanging 24 stories over the side of a Vancouver skyscraper. Team Blue's Tulio immediately stepped up. "I skydive, I bungee jump," he said, "this is the next thrill, I'm so happy to put this in." He was joined Steve, Ene, Willow and Santina at the top. It was a bright, beautiful day and the view was amazing as all five players hung on for their (safely tethered) lives. There was even some singing. While other players managed their discomfort and tried not to look down, Tulio belted out his favourite karaoke song, "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers. When a couple of other players joined in, it felt like a heart-swelling moment of harmony until…Santina hilariously shut them down. When things started looking too comfortable, the challenge went next level. Instead of lying on top of the rope, players had to hang from the bottom. And then, an hour and a half later, players had to hang with one arm only. After an excruciating 150 minutes, Santina, Willow and Ene dropped out, leaving Tulio and Team Green's Steve hanging on. Then, making a deal (more on this) that would reverberate through the rest of the episode, Tulio won the challenge for Team Blue. With Blue now at the top of the leaderboard, they had to choose which teams would go into the first elimination challenge. There was much manoeuvring behind the scenes with each team making their case — and some pretty strong feelings that Team Green wasn't worth saving. When the teams arrived for the first elimination challenge at BC Place, the mood was tense. Team Blue put Team Orange and Team Yellow in to battle it out, saving Team Green and honouring the deal Tulio made with Steve, high above the city. There was much drama (see below). In the "Touchdown Elimination Showdown" teams had to hit three targets by swinging a teammate over 50 yards across the field so that they were close enough to throw a football at the targets. Ayjay and Kelly elected to strap into the sky swings and throw the footballs. The first team to knock down all three targets moved on to the next round. Kelly had the better aim and took the challenge to keep Team Yellow in the game. Team Orange was, well, bitter and left with a few choice parting words about Team Red. "Red is all snakes. They're going to snake you any chance they get," said Becky as she left the game. And with that, the remaining teams move on. Moment that changed the game At the end of the "Ultimate Solo Sky Hang", only two players remained, Tulio and Steve. Both were exhausted after spending nearly three hours atop the structure, 24 stories up. So they struck a deal. Steve would let go and in exchange, Tulio promised that Team Green would not be sent to the next elimination round. Tulio's winning performance put Team Blue at the top of the leaderboard, they would have to decide who would battle in the elimination challenge. Of course, Tulio's offer was made without his team members' knowledge and there were many feelings about it. Because the bottom three teams were tied for last place, Team Blue was in the awkward position of having to choose, not one — but two teams — to battle in the first elimination round. And nobody was happier than Team Red. During the "Ultimate Solo Sky Hang" challenge, Keenan made another alliance, this time with Team Blue's Aaron meaning that Team Red now had forged unions with three other teams. "This is the perfect situation. We're not at the top of the leaderboard, but Team Red is safe and there's no blood on these hands," said deal-maker Keenan. In a game, where alliances are everything, Team Blue had to burn a few bridges to honour Tulio's promise. Best line of the episode Aaron shows his spicy side: " I made that for you because I was nice. So shut the [bleep] up and go in there and compete. Because guess what? I won, you lost. Go show me." That's what Team Blue's Aaron fired back after a dramatic bracelet toss at BC Place in Vancouver. Watch it here. Team Yellow's Eddie throws his friendship bracelet to the ground at BC Place 1 month ago Duration 0:31 Eddie threw the friendship bracelet to the ground when Aaron revealed that he was putting Team Yellow into the elimination round. Members of Team Blue had grown close to Team Yellow, so they viewed it as a betrayal. And with that one dramatic gesture, the game shifted — the time for making friends was over. "It's serious now," said Veronica, "And it low-key got a little personal." Watch the reaction behind the scenes. Team Yellow would have to fight for a chance to stay in the game. MVP of Episode 2: Steve from Team Green We're going to have to give this one to Steve. With his team riding last on the leaderboard, he stepped up to the plate for the Solo Sky Hang. With his over-confident swagger, he told his teammates he'd hang below the rope sloth-style while the other competitors spent the first hour lying on top of it. Team Green Captain Ashlyn was openly skeptical. "You're doing all of us. So make sure that while you're doing you, that you take everything we're saying into account," she warned. Steve, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor was confident he had the grip strength to hang on, "I'm ready to be the last one hanging. The pressure is on, but pressure makes diamonds." If you were around last season, that kind of cockiness was giving Adam in the pole hang from Season 2 vibes. But hang on, he did. 'til the bitter end. And yes, we agree, you are a cool dad, Steve. Most caption-worthy photo Where to watch Canada's Ultimate Challenge Catch all the action on Canada's Ultimate Challenge, now streaming free on CBC Gem.
