The mysterious “fireball” seen over the French Riviera on Monday evening was in fact a spectacular wingsuit flight led by 27-year-old Tristan Doucet…
As reported by Monaco Matin, the Monaco-based physiotherapist orchestrated the jump alongside four other experienced pilots, creating a striking visual effect using powerful spark-emitting devices attached to their suits.
The team leapt from a helicopter at an altitude of around 3,000 metres just off the Principality’s coastline, before gliding for over two minutes and landing at Golfe Bleu in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. The carefully timed twilight jump, combined with the glow of Monaco below, created a dramatic contrast that made the performance visible across the region.
Behind the scenes, the operation required extensive preparation, including securing multiple authorisations from French and Monegasque authorities, as well as coordination with Nice airport. Weather conditions nearly forced a cancellation at the last minute, highlighting the complexity and risk involved in such a project.
Doucet described the flight as one of the most memorable of his life and hinted that it forms part of a larger concept still in development. Beyond the spectacle, his aim is to bring greater visibility to wingsuit flying, a discipline that often goes unnoticed despite its technical demands and inherent danger.
Images: Sky Unit Instagram