’The Sky Rider’ Simon Bennett-Odlum to Attempt World-Record Parasail Ride

Septuagenarian Seeks Sponsorship of July/August Event
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., April 1, 2005 -- Not every seventy-year-old man would enjoy being tethered to a parachute and pulled behind a speeding boat from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas. But then, Simon Bennett-Odlum, known as The Sky Rider (http://www.theskyrider.us), has spent his life in pursuit of adventure. Next on his to-do list: set a world record for the longest parasail ride in distance, duration and speed.

The Sky Rider’s flight is planned for late July/early August 2005. Because there currently is no official record of this type, Bennett-Odlum predicts his ride will receive a great deal of exposure on its own. “Add to that the twist that I am 70 years old, and the media and public interest will go through the roof. This is an incredible opportunity for a sponsor,” he stated. “The name and logo of the event’s primary sponsor will be prominently displayed on the sail and boat. And the return on this investment won’t end when the record is captured: I intend to operate the sail and boat for at least two years afterwards, offering vacationers the opportunity to ’ride the sky’ in a rig that set a world record - with the sponsor’s name and logo still intact.”

If Bennett-Odlum sounds confident, it’s because he is accustomed to challenge, adventure and success. As a young man, he turned down an Oxford education in favor of a stint in the Royal Air Force. After returning to civilian life, Bennett-Odlum tried his hand at acting, debuting in “The Day They Robbed the Bank of England.” He also appeared in the B-movie “Lady Ice,” with Jennifer O’Neill and Donald Sutherland, and later in the cult classic “The Village of the Damned.” Bennett-Odlum went on to: spend time in the deserts of Libya, clearing unexploded mines and bombs left over from WWII; start an airline offering flights from Miami and Atlanta to London; and, in 1973, found a car detailing business that is still thriving today. A lifelong sailor, Bennett-Odlum’s hobbies include sailing and auto racing.

Will The Sky Rider set a world record for the longest parasail ride? If Bennett-Odlum’s daring and determination are any indication, it seems likely. But either way, don’t expect this septuagenarian to slow down any time soon. Those interested in learning more about The Sky Rider should visit http://www.theskyrider.us.

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