Five-year-old Axel Luchsinger experienced a remarkable day at school when an announcement declared him a world-record holder. “Everyone was hugging me,” he shared with CBC News. The iconic Slinky toy has broken a record for descending the most stairs, as confirmed by Guinness World Records, with a remarkable feat of 53 stairs, surpassing the previous record by 23 stairs.
Axel, along with his parents Joe and Christelle Luchsinger from Connecticut, led the charge in achieving this feat. Axel’s fascination with superlatives drove him to pursue the Slinky record, which seemed within reach compared to his dad’s previous record attempts. They selected the optimal Slinky from a variety of options and embarked on their record-breaking adventure during a trip to Ohio in May 2025.
With Christelle as the launcher, Axel as the stair counter, and Joe responsible for retrieving the Slinky after each attempt, the family persevered through challenging weather conditions. Despite initial setbacks and an impending storm, they achieved a successful descent, narrowly avoiding rainfall. Although the record was not officially verified on-site by an adjudicator, the family captured the feat on video in May 2025 and received certification almost a year later in March.
Looking ahead, the Luchsinger family has set their sights on breaking the record for the highest launch from a Galilean cannon. This playful endeavor serves as a reminder of the importance of incorporating fun and play into adult life, as Joe emphasized the significance of enjoying such experiences and creating lasting memories with Axel.
Christelle expressed her excitement about the achievement, while Axel playfully hinted at aiming for even greater milestones in the future. The family’s journey towards breaking records continues, fueled by their shared passion for adventure and playful pursuits.
