A 72-year-old grandmother of four has been appointed as Alton Towers Resort's first chief thrillseeker, tasked with testing rollercoaster rides at the theme park. Jackie Smith, a resident near Stonehenge in Wiltshire, brings a wealth of adventure experience to her new role.
Ms. Smith's adventurous spirit dates back to 1971 when she became the first woman to join the Parachute Regiment, the Red Devils, at the age of 19. She quickly made history by being the first woman to receive the regiment's prestigious red beret just two years later.
In her 12-month tenure as chief thrillseeker, Ms. Smith will attend Alton Towers' Thrillseeker Summit and test rides, starting with the new Nemesis Reborn. She expressed her excitement at the opportunity, stating, 'Alton Towers sets the bar worldwide for thrill-seekers, and I can't wait to bring my expertise to help set new standards.'
The new Nemesis Reborn ride features cutting-edge audio visual technology for an immersive experience. Ms. Smith, who has completed 5,000 parachute jumps, reflected on her journey of breaking barriers in the Parachute Regiment, where she had to convince her commanding officer to allow her to try parachuting, a forbidden activity for women at the time.
Throughout her career, Ms. Smith has achieved remarkable feats, including participating in the World Parachuting Championship and base-jumping off El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Her appointment at Alton Towers has been met with enthusiasm by the theme park's divisional director, who praised her as 'a true female trailblazer.'
Alton Towers Resort aims to offer thrilling experiences for visitors of all ages, and Ms. Smith's role exemplifies that age is no barrier to adventure. As part of their summer promotions, the theme park is extending offers to make it easier for families to enjoy a day of thrills and fun.
