The fastest skiers on Earth | FIS Alpine

In the world of winter sports, there are an amazing group of skiers that are swifter than a cheetah, speedier than a sports car, brave beyond belief. This mythical group are the fastest skiers on earth. The sound of a speed skier is like... Hypersonic plane. Formula 1. A skin-tight latex speed suit, aerodynamic helmet, tail-thin boots, shaped poles and 2m 40cm length specialised skis. It might look like they come from the future, but speed skiing has a long and celebrated history within our sport. Speed skiing is almost born in my region. Because they live close to Cervinia, in Osta Valley. And, you know, they did the first world record in St. Moritz, 1932 to 1936. And after, for many years, the speed skiing was in Cervinia, in the glacier between Cervinia and Zermatt. But from all around the world, the people, they were coming to Cervinia in the summer time for doing the Kilometro Lanciato. Since the first world record was set in 1932, speed skiing has made enormous progress and development with the fastest woman in the world, Valentina Gregio. With a top speed of 247.083kmph, over 153mph, reached in 2016 on the mythical Chabrier Slope in Vence, France. The fascinating thing is that we do the speed and it's not a motor that pushes us. The more we are good at being fast, the faster we go. The resort of Vars has a long running history with speed skiing, being home to one of the fastest runs in the world, as well as being the birthplace of the legendary Billy family. Since I am a kid, I always watch my father, Philippe Billy, and Jeff Hamilton. They are legends for me because I saw them on the track here in Vars and I grew up with their speed. And this is why I love speed skiing and I do speed skiing. We ski from 0 to 200kmph in less than 6 seconds. Just under 30 years after his father, Simon replicates Philippe Billy's achievement by setting a new world record on his home slope in March 2023. Currently the fastest skier on earth. It was the run of my life, I knew it. When we saw Simon's speed up there, my father turned around and said, today it's for you. The future looks swifter than ever and we can't wait to see what the next 100 years will bring. Over 260kmph, surely it's coming. Maybe we do an interview.