I feel great now, I'm on an emotional high

Richard Rodriguez

The 39-year-old, who has a girlfriend, said: "I'm on top of the world. It's a great day, I now want to celebrate with the rest of humanity and the great people of Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

"I feel great now, I'm on an emotional high."

Mr Rodriguez, who teaches media and communication at a school in Chicago, Illinois, kept himself occupied with books, newspapers and letters from well-wishers.

Body adapts

He also had a mobile telephone to call his mother.

Mr Rodriguez was allowed a respite of five minutes out of every hour, which he stored up to take a shower and have a hot meal once a day.

Rollercoaster ride

Length: 3,295ft Height: 70ft Top speed: 35mph Duration: 3 minutes

"The first week was the hardest but your body adapts to its environment," he said.

But the British weather nearly put a dampener on the record attempt.

When asked if he ever wanted to get off, Mr Rodriguez said: "Every time that it started to rain, I said to myself, `I wish I could just go back to my hotel room,' but then the weather changes."