Weird & Wonderful from the World of Guinness!

News release
13 October 2008

Weird & Wonderful from the World of Guinness!

If you’ve ever wondered how many candles can be blown out in one breath or how many snails fit on someone’s face, then the answers are now at hand with the release of the 2009 edition of international best seller, The Guinness World Records.

Among the brand new achievements listed, Guinness World Records presents updates on many of its classic records. The 2009 edition reveals Edna Parker (US) as the Oldest Living Person (114 years and 115 days); 105-year old Edith Gulliford (UK) as the Oldest Bridesmaid; and for canine lovers, the Longest Dog, Irish Wolfhound Mon Ami von der Oelmühle, with an impressive nose-to-tail-tip length of 232 cm (91.3 in).

New Zealand is well represented amongst the record breakers and those looking for the wacky, weird and bizarre will not be disappointed! New Zealand has its own resident record breaker – Alastair Galpin – who holds over 20 records including:
• Most snails on the face – 8 snails for 10 seconds
• Most rhinestones on the body – 31,680
• The longest hand shake – 9 hours 19 minutes
• The most rubber bands stretched over the face – 62
• Candle blowing – 144 in one breath
• Most stamps licked in 1 minute – 57.

National Sales Manager, John Girvan commented, “Guinness World Records has been beloved by children and adults for over 50 years and is renowned for its intriguing and inspiring record breaking attempts and feats. Alastair Galpin’s devotion to record breaking has certainly put New Zealand on the map – he has a fan club that stretches around the globe!”

The 2009 edition of Guinness World Records features thousands of new and updated records, unique photography and for the first time ever 3D special features including a set of 3D glasses. The book is available from all leading booksellers.

ENDS

Editor’s notes:

• Guinness World Records is the universally recognised authority on record-breaking achievements. First published in 1955, the annual Guinness World Records book is published in more than 100 countries and 20 languages and is one of the highest-selling books under copyright of all time with more than 3 million copies sold annually across the globe. Guinness World Records celebrated its 50th anniversary edition in 2004, a year after the sale of its 100 millionth copy. The Guinness Word Records website (www.guinnessworldrecords.com) receives more than 11 million visitors a year.

• The 2009 edition also presents a special feature devoted solely to Guinness World Records Day. This day celebrates the anniversary of Guinness World Records officially becoming the biggest best selling copyright book of all time. Last year more than 100,000 people united across the globe to break records and make their mark in Guinness World Records history. This section of the book highlights all of the new achievements recorded on this day in 2007 and provides information on how to get involved with Guinness World Records Day 2008 on 13th November.

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