Very high fliers and death-defiers

Clinton Moore (left) and Jarryd McNeil take a ride on the wild side during the Nitro Circus show...
Clinton Moore (left) and Jarryd McNeil take a ride on the wild side during the Nitro Circus show at Forsyth Barr Stadium last night. Photo by Linda Robertson.
New Zealand motocross rider Levi Sherwood makes the most of his air time during his performance...
New Zealand motocross rider Levi Sherwood makes the most of his air time during his performance at the Nitro Circus in Dunedin last night. Photo by Linda Robertson.
Ryan Williams gives himself the once-over after crashing off his scooter. Photo by Linda Robertson.
Ryan Williams gives himself the once-over after crashing off his scooter. Photo by Linda Robertson.
All members of the Nitro Circus team hit the ramps at the same time. Photo by Linda Robertson.
All members of the Nitro Circus team hit the ramps at the same time. Photo by Linda Robertson.
Nitro Circus riders celebrate on a landing ramp during the show. Photo by Linda Robertson.
Nitro Circus riders celebrate on a landing ramp during the show. Photo by Linda Robertson.
Nitro Circus performer Dusty Wygle rides a rocking horse (Mr Ed). Photo by Linda Robertson.
Nitro Circus performer Dusty Wygle rides a rocking horse (Mr Ed). Photo by Linda Robertson.
Nitro Circus' only female performer, Jolene Van Vugt, drives a Barbie car down the ramp. Photo by...
Nitro Circus' only female performer, Jolene Van Vugt, drives a Barbie car down the ramp. Photo by Linda Robertson.
Chris Haffey (left) and Aaron Sauvage complete a jump in a wheelbarrow. Photo by Linda Robertson.
Chris Haffey (left) and Aaron Sauvage complete a jump in a wheelbarrow. Photo by Linda Robertson.
Blake Williams flies through the air at at the stadium last night. Photo by Linda Robertson.
Blake Williams flies through the air at at the stadium last night. Photo by Linda Robertson.
Nitro Circus physiotherapist Nat Perkins checks on rider Jolene Van Vugt. Photo by Linda Robertson.
Nitro Circus physiotherapist Nat Perkins checks on rider Jolene Van Vugt. Photo by Linda Robertson.

Dunedin chiropractors may notice a small influx of clientele during the next week, following a visit by the Nitro Circus to Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Those magnificent men and their flying machines caused audience members' heads to tilt up, down, side to side, and round and round, all in a valiant effort to keep up with the astounding action which gave necks a good workout last night.

The extreme sports spectacular featured the return of Nitro Circus founder and 17 time X Games medallist Travis Pastrana, who last performed in New Zealand in 2011.

He was joined by some of the biggest stars in FMX, BMX and skate, including Kiwi riders Levi Sherwood, Nick Franklin and Jed Mildon, who helped the show live up to its billing as the ''world's most exciting, adrenaline-charged, live action sports show''.

The latest version of the show went retro, with the entire performance choreographed and styled as a 1920s Barnum and Bailey Circus - complete with clowns, people dressed as lions and bears, and Pastrana atop a large rubber elephant.

As well as the usual gravity-defying tricks on motorcycles, bicycles, inline skates and scooters, there were cringe-worthy jumps off a 35m ramp from a range of crazy contraptions, including children's trikes, snow skis, Barbie cars, rubbish bins, armchairs and even bathtubs - all with the caveat: ''Don't try this at home, kids''.

There were more than a few moments when the estimated 6500-strong crowd gasped and made faces like they were sucking lemons as they thought, ''He's not going to make it''.

And there were plenty of video flashbacks of people attempting the same tricks in the past, failing and being stretchered off, just to remind the audience how dangerous the tricks were.

But they always seemed to make it.

There was just one noticeable casualty - a man who took a knock to the groin after falling awkwardly on a tricycle. He, too, looked like he was sucking lemons.

There seemed to be something entertaining for everyone.

Even for those not mechanically minded, there was still widespread appreciation at the skill involved in riding down a 35m-high ramp, jumping 20m into the air and performing a ''hole in one'' by landing in an inflatable zorb ball with pinpoint accuracy.

While the circus act was mostly made up of Americans, it was not lost on them that yesterday was Waitangi Day in New Zealand.

So the Kiwi contingent in the group led a special heartfelt haka as a tribute to New Zealand's national day, as part of the show.

At the end of the show, all there was left to do was have a cup of tea and a wee lie down to calm racing pulses ...

oh, and remind the children again not to try anything they saw at home.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz

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