By exceeding 255 km/h on the Vars flying kilometer track, the French skier Simon Billy seized the world ski speed record. A performance that also allowed him to win his second title of world champion in speed skiing, on the occasion of the Speed Masters 2023. Invited in Europe 1 Sport (every evening from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.), Simon Billy dreamed of this moment: “Since I was a kid, I have been preparing for this day.”
255.5 km/h
⛷️ Congratulations to Simon Billy for this incredible achievement! #SpeedMasters#Varshttps://t.co/oFgT5iph4v
– Ministry of Sports (@Sports_gouv) March 22, 2023
“I did the run of my life, I was calm and confident at the start. This record today at home in Vars is a collective victory. Kid, I attended all the records here (… ) Today, it’s a childhood dream come true”, rejoiced Simon Billy. “All the lights were on”, finally summarized Simon Billy who thanked those who accompanied him in this challenge.
Family of enthusiasts
Le Varsin is part of a famous family of speed skiers and has been training since childhood on the Chabrières piste, the only one in the world approved for speed records. His father Philippe Billy seized the world record in Vars in 1997 with a top speed of 243.902 km/h. Simon Billy stole the world record from the Italian Ivan Origone, flashed at 254.958 km / h in 2016.
With an average speed over 100m estimated at 255km/h, Simon Billy won his second title of speed skiing world champion at the same time, on the occasion of the Speed Masters 2023. Billy started his descent at the top of the resort at 2,715 m, on a track with a drop of 495 m and a maximum slope of 98%, flirting with the vertical.
Particular combination
“My gloves are included in the suit, everything is done to go as fast as possible”, explained the French skier. Speed skiers can reach 200 km/h in less than 6 seconds. The discipline, demonstrated at the Olympic Games in Albertville (France) in 1992, has not passed the mark of approval. The French now hopes that his performance will make vocations among the youngest.