At a Glance
- Ciel Dubai Marina hosted a wingsuit event featuring athletes from XDubai flying through the hotel’s Eye of the Needle.
- The athletes reached speeds of 124 mph (over 200 km/h) during their descent.
- The hotel, the world’s tallest at 1,237 feet, offers more than 1,000 rooms.
- Why it matters: The event showcases Dubai’s push for extreme sports and luxury hospitality, drawing global attention to the city’s skyline.
The world’s tallest hotel, Ciel Dubai Marina, made headlines on Monday, Jan. 26, when wingsuit athletes from XDubai performed a daring flight through its iconic Eye of the Needle. The athletes flew at speeds exceeding 124 mph, creating a spectacle that blended extreme sport with architectural grandeur.
Event Overview
The Instagram post released by Ciel Dubai Marina captured the moment when five skydivers leapt from a plane, gliding through the air before slicing through the hotel’s glass spire. The video showed vapor trails and a synchronized “Ready, break” cue from one team member. The athletes then deployed their parachutes and landed safely on the ground.
Key Highlights
- Five skydivers participated.
- Flight speeds: 124 mph (over 200 km/h).
- The event took place on Monday, Jan. 26.
- The flight path included the hotel’s Eye of the Needle.
The Aerial Display
The athletes began their descent at varying heights, with one athlete passing through the Eye of the Needle while the others flew above and around the structure. After separating from the aircraft, the team’s leader shouted “Ready, break,” audible in the recording. The flight demonstrated precision and control, culminating in a safe landing.
> “Above the city, the sky became a stage for Ciel Dubai Marina,” the hotel’s caption read. “The world’s tallest hotel revealed itself as a vertical arena, where every level brings a new perspective and every moment feels infinite.”
Preparation and Partnerships
The event was a collaboration between Visit Dubai and Sky Dive Dubai, with XDubai providing the wingsuit athletes. Professional skydiver Simon Whittle explained the extensive preparation:
> “We’ve been talking about this for months and months,” Whittle told CNN. “We’ve all been wingsuiting for years to get up to the kind of level where this is achievable. So you could say our preparation started five, ten years ago.”
> “I’ve been jumping for 20 years, but yeah, as the date comes closer, you do more and more practice jumps, and we’ve probably put in at least 40 or 50 specific practice jumps for this situation. Lots of talking, lots of planning.”
Rob Burns, CEO of project development at First Group, praised the partnership:
> “We are honored to have partnered with XDubai and Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism on this extraordinary, high-adrenaline activation at Ciel Dubai Marina.”
> “XDubai’s meticulous, safety-driven planning process enabled these world-class athletes to perform an unprecedented aerial display with astonishing precision,” Burns added. “This collaboration reflects our shared vision to push boundaries, celebrate innovation and create unforgettable experiences that redefine what is possible in Dubai’s real-estate and hospitality landscapes.”
Hotel Highlights
Opened on Nov. 15 last year, Ciel Dubai Marina stands at 1,237 feet above the Dubai skyline. The 55-story tower houses more than 1,000 rooms and features a range of luxury amenities. Its Eye of the Needle, a glass-enclosed observation area, became the centerpiece of the wingsuit event.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Height | 1,237 feet |
| Rooms | Over 1,000 |
| Opening Date | Nov. 15 last year |
| Event Date | Jan. 26 |
Key Takeaways
- Ciel Dubai Marina leveraged its architectural prominence to host a high-profile wingsuit event.
- The collaboration between Visit Dubai, Sky Dive Dubai, and XDubai showcased meticulous safety planning and extreme sport execution.
- The event highlighted Dubai’s ambition to combine luxury hospitality with cutting-edge adventure experiences.
- Speeds of 124 mph and a flight through the Eye of the Needle underscored the daring nature of the display.
The spectacle reaffirmed Dubai’s reputation as a city that pushes the limits of both architecture and sport, drawing global attention to the skyline and the hospitality industry.
