Parachutists in illicit jump from Brazil skyscraper

Two Brazilian parachutists jumped from a 46- story skyscraper in the heart of Sao Paulo, Brazil’s biggest city, this week after slipping past security, Globo news site G1 reported Saturday.

The notoriously dangerous extreme sport known as BASE jumping involves jumping from a fixed object, such as a building or bridge, with parachutes specially designed to open quickly.

Arthur Zanella and Thiago Negao planned their jump for nearly a month before executing it from the Italia building late Wednesday. G1 obtained a video of the plunge Saturday.

The drop lasted 13 seconds, including three seconds of free fall before the parachutes opened. The pair landed on a major street at 10: 30 pm “when traffic is calmer and after hav- ing calculated the time when the cars stop” for a red light, Zanella told G1.

The Italia building ( Edificio Italia), at 165 meters high, is the second- tallest building in Sao Paulo and one of the trendiest tourist- frequented spots in the city of 12 million people.

Before jumping, the two men had dinner and drank a bottle of wine in the terrace restaurant with panoramic views from the 41st floor.

The pair hurried to a stairway leading to the outside of the building to avoid being stopped by security guards.

After their unauthorized jump, they went down into the subway to stow their gear, according to the video images, before celebrating their derringdo at a bar.