Gardaland amped up anticipation for its vertical plunge rollercoaster set to open this spring with a jawdropping skydive challenge.

Italian skydiver Roberta Mancino helped the theme park raise awareness and reveal the name of the upcoming thrill coaster by jumping out of an aeroplane and navigating her way through a “human circle” of 10 parachutists (see video below).

The stunt was a nod to the design of the ride, named Oblivion: The Black Hole, which will be the first dive coaster in Italy and the longest in Europe. The ride is being produced by the Swiss company Bollinger & Mabillard (B&M), who also supplied Gardaland’s wing coaster Raptor in 2011.

According to Gardaland, riders will “be free falling – with an incredible 85 degrees of inclination – from a 42.5-metre (139-foot) height to end up in a dark, narrow tunnel from which they will re-emerge to face, at the speed of 100kph (62mph), inversions, head-over-heels upturns, tailspins on big spirals and 360-degree rotations.”

Mancino, who is also a model and stuntwoman, jumped from a height of 5,000 metres (16,400 feet), to freefall through the circle at speed of 400kph (249mph). She wore a jumpsuit emblazoned with the logo of the ride's newly revealed name.



Effectively marketing a new ride is important to parks who invest millions of dollars in signature attractions which can significantly increase visitor numbers.

Gardaland, operated by Merlin Entertainments, have pushed the boat out with a creative campaign and backstory about mysterious phenomena around the park site. The launch of the ride will coincide with the opening of the 2015 season on 28 March. This year also marks the Italian park’s 40th birthday.