Cedar Point magician tosses world record

Wednesday, 02 November 2005

By BRANDI BARHITE
brandibarhite@sanduskyregister.com

SANDUSKY - Roller coasters aren't the only record-holders at Cedar Point.

A Sterling Heights, Mich., magician working at the park during HalloWeekends broke the world record for card scaling.

Chris Linn, 29, is still waiting for confirmation from the Guinness Book of World Records, but has sent in the required videotape, cards and signed affidavits.

Linn was able to single-handedly spin or "scale" 114 playing cards from his right hand to clear 12 feet within one minute.

The previous record holder accomplished the same feat with 106 playing cards.

Guinness did not return a request for comment.

"It is basically dealing cards at an incredibly high speed to a bunch of people," Linn said of card scaling.

"I knew I could only attempt it so many times because it is fatiguing on your arm," he said.

Linn began practicing scaling one year ago to include in his magic and comedy routine.

Linn, a full-time magician, has performed his Chris Linn's Magicomedy routine at Cedar Point for four seasons.

He also performs on cruise ships and at conventions.

"I got a magic kit when I was 5 years old and I have never thought of being anything else," he said.

When Linn realized he was good at scaling, he decided to see if he could break a world record.

Linn went to the Web site for the Guinness Book of World Records, and saw Jeff McBride of Las Vegas, Nev., had set the record in July 2004. Not all Guinness records are in the book, Linn said.

He decided to attempt to break the record at Cedar Point because "Cedar Point is certainly known for record breaking," Linn said.

Only a few members of the public were able to watch him break the record because of space constraints, but on Oct. 23, he did it on his second attempt.

The first time, his hands were cold and it took him a while to warm up. He got only 101 cards.

"The cards had to be brand new and never opened," Linn said. "You had to open them on the tape, and then send the cards with your entry to Guinness."

First, Linn practiced with used cards. A few weeks before the attempt, he broke out new cards.

"I have a big box of 5,000 cards now," he said.

Park spokesman Bryan Edwards said Linn's record and Cedar Point are the perfect combination.

Cedar Point announced Monday a $6 million giant swing called Skyhawk will debut at the park May 6. The 103-foot ride will be the tallest ride of its kind in the world.

"When you think of amusement parks and Guinness, Cedar Point comes to mind," Edwards said.

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