New World record 252,454 km/h Vars – Hautes Alpes in speed skiing

The world’s fastest man on a pair of skis just got faster.

On Monday Italian Simone Origone broke his own speed skiing world record as he reached 252.4 kilometers per hour on the Chabrieres slopes in the French Alps — an achievement confirmed by organizers France Ski de Vitesse.

With a 1,220 m slope that has a maximum gradient of 98% and an average of 52.5%, Chabrieres is not for the faint-hearted.

Traveling at over 250 km/h (156.87mph) is a privilege usually reserved for Formula One drivers, yet speed skier Origone was equipped with just an aerodynamic helmet to increase streamlining and a ski suit made from air-tight latex to reduce wind resistance.

Origone’s one nod to safety was wearing a back protector in case of a crash as he threw himself down the one kilometer track>

Origone has been the fastest speed skier on the globe since April 2006, having set a then-new world record of 251.4 km/h at Les Arcs.

Bastien Montes of France was Origone’s closest challenger on Monday, but even the Frenhcman’s new personal best of 248.105 km/h was someway short of the Italian’s 2006 world record, let alone his latest one.

“Simone Origone is the greatest champion of all time, he is the only person to hold the record for two ski speeds in France — Les Arcs and Vars Chabrieres. This is a historic day,” technical director of Speed Masters Philippe Billy told Vars.com.

The 34-year-old Origone — a ski instructor, mountain guide and rescuer by day — only took up the discipline in 2003, having given up downhill skiing in 1999.

“Now that I have twice won the world record, I can say that I have made history,” Origone told Vars.com. “It is important for me and for speed skiing.”

Source: CNN

YouTube Description: New world record in ski 252.454 km (156.87mph) in the Hautes-Alpes in France. So this is the fastest non–motorized human world. (Simone Origone)

Characteristic of the track Chabrières:
Altitude–start / Starting altitude: 2720 m
– Altitude Arrival / Finishing altitude: 2285 m
– Elevation / Difference in height: 435 m
– Length / Lengh: 1400 m
– Maximum slope / Maximum slope angle: 98%!
– Average slope / Mean slope angle: 52.5%

CNaz

My Life at Speed Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Chris Nazarenus, had a chance meeting with key executives at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1998. It would be the "Jerry McGuire" moment that would change her life forever. Although she knew nothing about motorsports at that time, the chance meeting would influence her passion for all things fast, great stories and interesting people. That's what you will find here at My Life at Speed.