World Record Broken for Speed on a Snowboard

Britain’s Jamie Barrow has broken his own world record for speed on a snowboard.

Barrow hit 149.65 km/h (92.99mph) being towed behind a Maserati Levante SUV car on his snowboard on frozen Lake St. Moritz on Monday, 19 February.

Barrow broke his own record of 99.87 kilometres per hour which he had set almost exactly two years previously at the same location. This time however the snow was less sticky and his course longer.

Barrow, who has dual Swiss citizenship, has made his name in recent years getting faster and faster on a board, but usually travelling horizontally, often being towed behind a car or even a plane, across a frozen lake, usually in St Moritz.  On one occasion he was also propelled across the lake using a handheld mini jet engine.

With the record attempt taking place on a frozen lake, safety and preparation were a major factor when planning the project. The track was closed, fenced off and piste-bashers groomed the snow especially for the Guinness World Record attempt.

For his record attempt the car, which had more than 470 spikes in its tyres to help grip the snow and ice, required a 400m long acceleration/deceleration section with a 100 metre long area in which the record time was officially recorded using a speed measuring and recording device provided by Guinness World Record Officers.

“I am delighted to have broken my previous record. I’ve always known that higher speeds could be achieved under the right conditions and especially with the right towing vehicle,” Barrow told media.