HARRY Parker's performance provoked screams from the audience because he didn't open his parachute until he had dropped past the mid-way point of the Jinmao Tower.

　　"I thought it was going to be a terrible accident," said one shaken observer.

　　"I opened my parachute after about six seconds of free-falling," Parker said excitedly. Generally speaking, seven seconds is thought to be the maximum possible time before opening a parachute after BASE jumping from the Jinmao Tower.

　　The average time for each jumper to be in the sky was estimated to be half a minute. Considering safety, they are asked to open their parachute at least 200 metres from the ground.

　　"The feeling in the sky is a little frightening although I had experienced about 170 BASE jumps. But when the parachute opened, it is really - Ooh!" said Lisa Denise Boger from the US, one of two women jumpers. "I flew like a bird and enjoyed the great view. Shanghai is really beautiful."

　　The parachutist, together with Denise Maria Williams, demonstrated pair jumping. Boger opened her parachute after 2.5 seconds and Williams opened hers after five seconds with the aim of keeping a safe space between the partners.

　　Because the wind was "a little too strong", their landing took place at a crossroad about 30 metres from their intended destination. The performance of the two blondes won great applause from the spectators.

　　"But the landing was good!" said Boger. "And the construction of the Jinmao is the most amazing of any building I have ever seen or jumped from."

　　The most interesting jump was that of Andre Gunnar Bach from Norway. Not only because he wore a black formal suit, but also he stood upside-down on a springboard and somersaulted into the sky. (By Xiao Min)