A Historic Flight Through Bahrain’s Twin Towers

In a landmark collaboration between the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) and the Bahrain Olympic Committee, Red Bull has delivered a spectacular aerial feat in the heart of Manama: the first-ever synchronized wingsuit flight through the Bahrain World Trade Center.

Wingsuit athletes Dani Román and Fred Fugen successfully completed the historic crossing, flying simultaneously between the twin towers from opposite directions. Each athlete descended at speeds of 220 km/h, reaching a combined closing speed of 440 km/h — more than 120 meters per second — as they passed through the crossing point with less than 10 meters separating them.

The athletes launched from a Black Hawk helicopter at an altitude of 4,000 feet, accelerating above Manama’s skyline before splitting into opposite trajectories. They then re-aligned with remarkable precision to enter the narrow midline gap between the towers, soaring just 40 meters above the building’s iconic wind turbines.

Two Years of Preparation Behind the 2025 Achievement

Román and Fugen first identified the Bahrain World Trade Center as a potential flight site during a 2022 visit, recognizing its unique suitability for a synchronized crossing. What followed was a two-year journey of planning, approvals, simulations, technical mapping, and flight training.

“Crossing between the towers has been a dream for us for two years,” said Fugen, a three-time world champion with over 20,000 skydives and 1,500 BASE jumps. “Imagining something we’ve never done before — and then making it happen at this beautiful landmark — is indescribable.”

Despite the dramatic visuals, the pair explained that navigating the gap was the easiest part. The real challenge lay in coordinating their paths so they reached the midpoint at the exact same moment — with no digital instruments or live flight data to guide them.

“We don’t use GPS or aircraft data. We judge our speed and timing purely by body feel and visual reference,” explained Román. “Wind conditions made training difficult, but on the first filming day, everything worked out like magic.”

Rigorous Training in France and Bahrain

Preparation began in France, where the athletes completed over 35 training jumps, using a stationary drone at 200 meters to simulate the crossing point and establish reliable reference lines. GPS data was later mapped onto the Bahrain World Trade Center to refine approach paths.

A second training phase took place in the Bahraini desert, allowing the athletes to adjust to local conditions with support from a local helicopter crew.

Both athletes highlighted the importance of trust built over years of flying together. “Our work is built on friendship,” said Fugen. “We spend more time on the ground planning than in the air itself.” Román added: “Fred is a legend in this sport. Working with him on this project was incredible.”

National Support Paved the Way

The project was made possible thanks to substantial support from the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, which facilitated permits, coordinated logistics, and ensured smooth execution. The Bahrain Olympic Committee and Red Bull Bahrain also played key roles in safety, planning, and operational support.

The breathtaking feat was filmed last month in Manama and is now being showcased in a dedicated video highlighting the athletes’ precision and the architectural beauty of the landmark that inspired the project.

“What we experienced in Bahrain — from government support to the enthusiasm of the people — is truly exceptional,” said Román. “It’s something very rare to find elsewhere.”

After years of preparation, the final scene came down to a few seconds: two athletes accelerating toward a single point in perfect harmony, their flight paths converging into a moment of flawless execution.

“When we saw each other approaching and realized we nailed the crossing with that level of precision, the feeling was indescribable,” Fugen said. “It was a dream come to life.”

The full video of this historic achievement is now available on Red Bull Bahrain’s official channel.