Sport stackers across the globe get ready for huge Guinness World Records Day 2012 attempt

The world is set to go cup crazy on Guinness World Records Day next Thursday, with hundreds of thousands of participants set to take part in an attempt to break the record for the most people sport stacking (multiple venues).

During the course of GWR Day 2012, sport stackers from across the globe will be up stacking and down stacking various pyramids in prescribed patterns at lightning speed for at least 30 minutes, all combined with a variety of fitness activities.

Sport stacking (also known as cup stacking or speed stacking) is an individual and team sport that involves stacking specialized plastic cups in specific sequences in as little time as possible.

Participants of sport stacking stack cups in pre-determined sequences, competing against the clock or another player. Sequences are usually pyramids of three, six, or ten cups.

Stackers race against the clock, compete in relays and often combine sport stacking with fitness challenges as part of physical education classes (check out thewssa.com or speedstacks.com)

video

Last year, 412,259 stackers participated to break the previous year's STACK UP! record of 316,736. Once again, tens of thousands of stackers are expected to contribute their sport stacking skills from across the United States and around the world in countries such as Hungary, Germany, Israel, South Africa, New Zealand, Columbia, and Taiwan.

In addition, many schools are using this event to benefit local communities by stacking up for a good cause.

Speaking ahead of the attempt, World Sport Stacking Association Founder & CEO Bob Fox said: "Sport stacking is an activity enjoyed by all ages and cultures. It promotes hand-eye coordination, fitness, teamwork, speed and lots of fun. This is the seventh year we've teamed up with Guinness World Records, and we're excited to have another shot at breaking a world record."

To take part in the record-setting STACK UP!, schools and organizations around the world are required to register 25 or more stackers with the WSSA. Once a group completes the 30 minutes of stacking for each participant (anytime during November 15 ^th) the organizer and a witness are required to send in an online verification of numbers to the WSSA, who will pass on the total count to Guinness World Records for official recognition. For more information go to:thewssa.comor speedstacks.com.

Sport stacking - five essential facts

• The sport was invented by Wayne Godinet,who introduced the first formations and dubbed the sport "Karango Cup Stack". Shortly thereafter, Godinet formed a group called Cupstack.
• Physical education teacher Bob Fox later developed the activity into a true sport by formalizing the rules and establishing a governing body, the World Sport Stacking Association (WSSA).
• Sport Stacking received national attention in 1990 when it featured on US TV talk show, The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, with in the sport enjoying a huge increase in participants its appearance on the programme.
• In 2007, Steven Purugganan, then aged 10, broke the world record for fastest sport stacking individual cycle stack with a time of 7.23, helping him to earn a TV commercial deal wiht the restaurant chain McDonald's.
• Steven's time has since been beaten on several occasions, with the current holder William Orrell notching up a time of 5.68 seconds at the WSSA Mid-Atlantic Regional Sport Stacking Championships in Owings Mills in Maryland, USA, in March this year. You can watch William's record-breaking performance in the video player above.