FanSided: This Orbitz paper airplane event is peak sports-in-July
John Collins is best known as The Paper Airplane Guy for his world record-breaking paper airplane design and throw with his “arm”, former D1 football player Joe Ayoob in 2012. John became an internet sensation after his paper plane aircraft traveled 226 ft. 10 in., setting the new Guinness Book World Record for longest paper airplane throw, which was previously 207 ft. 4 in.
More than 6 years later, John and Joe traveled to Canada to attempt a new world record on Friday July 20th: 240+ feet. For those in the paper airplane community (and its fans), this was the biggest sporting event of the year. Which is why Orbitz live streamed the event on Facebook along with WIRED, Sports Illustrated and ABC News Live.
Here’s a bit from FanSided’s coverage of the event:
Like all sports that involve more skill than you would think, paper airplane throwing is a highly regulated affair. There are certain Guinness world record guidelines (partially written by Andy Chipling, the “Leading Authority on Paper Airplanes” who will also be providing on-air commentary this Friday). The most important detail, however, is the lack of rules surrounding the number of people involved with the throw. You can, it turns out, works as a team and recruit, say, a former college football quarterback to throw your expertly folded paper airplane, as Collins did.
Watch our recap from the Orbitz-sponsored event and the first episode of a new Orbitz content series we call #Rewarded.
