Graham Bell Sets Ski Speed Record For Being Towed Behind a Car
Graham Bell Sets Ski Speed Record For Being Towed Behind a Car
Published : 04-Oct-2017 01:56
Former British Olympic Skier Graham Bell achieved a new Guinness World Record title for the 'fastest towed speed on skis', pulled by the new Jaguar XF Sportbrake, at Jaguar Land Rover's Arctic Revi Test Centre in Arjeplog, Sweden.
Car and skier broke the previous world record of 70mph by more than half as much again, with an average speed of 117mph, 47mph faster than the old record.
Temperatures at the Arctic Circle test site were at -28 degrees Celcius at the time the record was achieved (the date of which is unknown) which presumably make it doubly difficult for Graham Bell to stay on his skis at these speeds.
However as this was a stunt designed to promote the car, all the publicity material is about how the car could manage.
Jaguar Land Rover's Managing Director Jeremy Hicks said: "The XF Sportbrake's superb traction, handling and high speed stability made it the perfect choice for this speed record attempt. We're extremely proud to have supported Graham in this incredible world-beating achievement – it's this kind of trail-blazing activity that really tests our cars to their limits.
Graham Bell first announced his plans to tackle the record in March last year when he said, "I approached Jaguar to become my lead technical partner due to their experience in aerodynamics and love of all things involving speed. As lead technical partner in the attempt, Jaguar will provide the aerodynamic expertise to develop the Iron-Man-style suit I need, as well as helping me acclimatize to speed and external forces using high performance vehicles including the Jaguar XE AWD - designed to provide maximum traction in adverse conditions including snow and ice."
At the time it was reported that Bell and Jaguar were working on Working with a unique ski suit and harness containing twin micro jets.
The current world speed skiing record for downhill speed skiing without assistance is 158.424 mph set by Italian Ivan Origone last year.
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