Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey(R) Flying Caceres Troupe Completes the Elusive Quadruple Somersault on the Flying Trapeze

TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- In a historic feat of incredible skill and athleticism, the famous Flying Caceres trapeze troupe succeeded in catching the highly elusive quadruple somersault during the opening week of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents Barnum's FUNundrum! in Tampa, Fla.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100111/NY35715-a )

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100111/NY35715-b )

Seemingly impossible, extremely dangerous, and as rare as a three-minute mile, the quadruple somersault has only been completed three times in Ringling Bros. 140-year history. Flyer, Ivo Silva, Jr. and catcher, Daniel Simard, join an elite group of individuals to successfully execute this tremendous challenge. Ivo completed four full revolutions, traveling high in the air at more than 80 mph, and connected with Daniel with incredible precision to finish "the Quad." In order to successfully accomplish this extreme act, perfect timing and positioning are required otherwise both catcher and flyer could suffer disastrous consequences.

"I can't believe it has happened. I am just very happy. I want to do it again," gushed trapeze flyer Ivo Silva, Jr. Asked if he thought he could replicate this amazing feat, Ivo replied with a confident "Yes."

Ivo and Daniel had been practicing for nearly seven months to hit the quadruple somersault, "A very short amount of time for this accomplishment considering that this normally takes hundreds and hundreds of attempts," explained troupe leader George Caceres.

"The quad means everything. It is the pinnacle of the flying trapeze. This is the reward," said catcher Daniel Simard. "We had been knocking at the door for quite some time. History has been made and I am excited to be a part of it."

It has been more than a quarter century since audiences have seen a completed quadruple somersault at The Greatest Show On Earth. The last time was in 1982 by the Flying Vazquez. In Barnum's FUNundrum!, which celebrates the legacy and 200th anniversary of the birth of P.T. Barnum, the Greatest Showman On Earth, audiences throughout this two-year tour have the unique opportunity to witness Ivo and Daniel try to duplicate this amazing achievement on any given night.

"This feat is yet another demonstration that Ringling Bros. is The Greatest Show On Earth!" said Nicole Feld, the third generation of the Feld family to produce Ringling Bros. "Whether it is the Flying Caceres Trapeze troupe, Puyang Chinese acrobatic troupe, the Mongolian body bending contortionists or the Cuban hand balancers, the undeniable athleticism of our performers is unparalleled."

"P.T. Barnum presented audiences with feats and acts never-before-seen, pushing the limits and making history," added Alana Feld, who is co-producing this historical 140th Edition with her sister Nicole. "I am very excited to be part of a show 200 years in the making that provides our audiences with thrills like the attempt at the quadruple somersault, every night."

For more information, visit Ringling.com.

About Feld Entertainment, Inc. - Feld Entertainment is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live entertainment experiences that lift the human spirit and create unforgettable memories, with over 30 million people in attendance at our shows annually. Feld Entertainment's productions have appeared in more than 65 countries and on six continents and include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, Feld Motor Sports, Disney On Ice, and DisneyLive!

SOURCE Feld Entertainment, Inc.