German YouTuber Tom Kopke shared that maintaining focus on solving a Rubik’s Cube while descending from an airplane at 200 kilometers per hour required him to ignore thoughts of impending danger. This mental discipline, as he explained to host Nil Kӧksal on “As It Happens,” was crucial in achieving his feat of breaking the Guinness World Record for the “fastest time to solve a rotating puzzle cube whilst in freefall.”
Kopke’s successful attempt took place in Mossel Bay, South Africa, on Feb. 17. He completed the puzzle in an impressive 22.333 seconds before deploying his parachute, surpassing the previous record set by Australia’s Sam Sieracki in 2023.
The 23-year-old medical student, currently residing in Johannesburg, described solving the Rubik’s Cube as the simple part, having started the hobby at 18 and considering himself a proficient solver. While he typically completes the cube in around 15 seconds, facing the challenges of freefall added complexity to the task.
Adapting to the wind resistance during the fall, which requires a tighter grip on the cube, was a key adjustment for Kopke. He prepared for the record attempt by practicing cube-solving on his couch while listening to wind sounds through headphones. Additionally, he underwent skydiving training over a five-week period leading up to the event.
During the jump, Kopke was accompanied by two instructors – one to assist him and another to hand over the cube. An earpiece signaled when he needed to release the cube and activate his parachute. After four attempts, he successfully secured the record by focusing on the cube while positioned belly-up with the wind at his back.
Despite pursuing a medical career, Kopke’s true passion lies in extreme sports and YouTube content creation. His channel showcases various adventurous endeavors, including Rubik’s Cube challenges and his victory in Gloucester’s cheese-rolling race, a daring British tradition.
Looking ahead, Kopke aims to break the record for solving the most Rubik’s Cubes while running a marathon. However, he acknowledges the need to balance his adventurous pursuits with his upcoming exams, knowing that his family hopes for him to fulfill his medical aspirations. Yet, Kopke remains drawn to the thrill of YouTube and his array of daring experiences and adventures, suggesting that a conversation with his family about his chosen path may be on the horizon.