Magician Blaine Begins Upside Down Stunt

Illusionist David Blaine has begun his latest endurance challenge — hanging upside down for 60 hours above Central Park’s Wollman skating rink in New York.

Blaine will attempt to complete his “Upside Down Man” challenge without a safety net. He started his ordeal Monday morning and is scheduled to end the feat Wednesday at 10:45 p.m. E.D.T. with a “heart-stopping plunge,” his representatives said, adding Blaine will attempt to speak with media throughout the challenge.

Blaine previously has spent 63 hours enclosed in a block of ice in New York and 44 days in a glass cube dangling over the River Thames in London with no food.

The ABC Television Network announced Monday it has acquired exclusive television exhibition rights to the TV special entitled “David Blaine: Dive of Death.”

The conclusion of “Upside Down Man” will be part of the special, which is to be broadcast live on ABC Wednesday from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. E.D.T., ABC said.