Austrian skydiver all set for record-breaking jump over US

Austrian skydiver and extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner hopes to take the leap of his life today, attempting the highest, fastest free fall in history. If he survives, the man dubbed “Fearless Felix” could be the first skydiver to break the sound barrier. If he doesn’t, a tragic fall could be live-streamed on the Internet for the world to see. He has prepared for the effort over five long years. When Baumgartner woke up yesterday morning, 24 hours before the highest jump mankind has ever seen, it was with the knowledge that he has done everything he possibly can to prepare for his freefall from the edge of space. “I’ll probably feel the most anxious when I’m trying to sleep in the hours before I start getting ready — when everything’s quiet and it’s just me and my thoughts,” Baumgartner admits. “Once my day begins, I’ll have a lot to do and my mind will have something to focus on.” Baumgartner started the day before the jump with a light cardio-based workout, mostly to “relax and loosen up,” according to Red Bull High Performance Director Andy Walshe. The energy drink, which has funded other extreme athletic events in the past, is sponsoring this venture. Two hours prior to the dive, Life Support Engineer Mike Todd will dress Baumgartner in his suit, a painstaking process, and the Austrian will “pre-breathe” oxygen for two hours to eliminate nitrogen from his bloodstream, which could expand dangerously at altitude. Videos will help pass the time as he awaits the announcement that his balloon inflation has begun and he can move to the capsule. Baumgartner will then be strapped into his capsule chair to conduct final instrument checks as directed by Mission Control. Then Capsule Engineer Jon Wells will seal the clear acrylic door. For a several more long minutes of anticipation, Baumgartner will await countdown and, finally, launch. Arab news