Frenchman Francois-Marie Dibon smashes world bungee jump record off Garry Bridge in Perthshire

A Frenchman has broken the world record for completing over 700 bungee jumps in a 24-hour period.

Francois-Marie Dibon’s final of tally of 765 is 335 jumps ahead of the previous record.

The 44-year-old, from Paris, equalled Mike Heard’s record in around ten hours at the River Garry in Perthshire on Tuesday night.

Heard, from New Zealand, was in top place until Dibon’s effort, after completing 430 leaps at Auckland Harbour Bridge in May 2017.

Having started his mammoth challenge at 10.10am on Tuesday, Dibon completed his 431st jump at just 10.30pm on the Highland Fling Bungee platform at Garry Bridge in Perthshire.

He finished shortly after 10am on Wednesday, when the new record of 765, overseen by Guinness World Records judge Joanne Brent, was set.

The extreme sportsman’s final jump concluded months of training and more than five years of planning the epic challenge.

It also demonstrated a massive achievement for Mr Dibon, who had an immense fear of heights well into his thirties before his first bungee jump 11 years ago.

He got off to a good start with smooth jumps and, despite light showers, the Scottish weather held up, breaking into intermittent sunshine.

Mr Dibon completed the challenge with 15 crew members from Highland Fling Bungee, working in shifts throughout the 24-hour period.

“I did not doubt we could do it,” he said, “Not with the team around me from Highland Fling Bungee. We have been building a performance for some time. We were lucky and blessed that it worked well.

“There are so many people I could thank. Everyone who I have met in my life have brought me something that has led me to this point. I am very grateful.

“When I knew it was the last jump, I actually wanted to keep going. I don’t feel the tiredness yet. I feel the excitement of completing this record with the team. I still feel the collective energy. The tiredness will catch up later.”

Francois-Marie rested only for one stint, with the crew also using that moment to change over the elasticated bungee cord for safety.

He took small sips of water on the platform to remain hydrated and kept his energy levels up with mouthfuls of rice, candies and some ham.

Adjudicator Joanne Brent described witnessing the record attempt as ‘inspiring’, praising the Frenchman’s positivity and focus as well as his manner with his crew.

Laurie ‘Loz’ Thomas, Highland Fling Bungee Jump Master and Operations Manager, said: “I only worked three shifts and feel shattered so I can only imagine how Francois-Marie feels.

“I am proud of every single person involved. We had to re-rig our systems and tweak things over time with the view of managing a jump every 2 minutes so it worked out well.”

Mr Dibon has previously said his bungee jump quest is “not just an individual extreme sport, it’s an endurance sport which is collective”.

“I am just the jumper,” he said. “I am surrounded by fantastic Scottish and British people.

“We are all working together to ensure safety, jump counting, so really it is a team endeavour.”