Pro skier reaches record-breaking 82-mph speed skiing backwards downhill

12 years after first achieving it, Norwegian pro skier Anders Backe has reclaimed the world record for the fastest speed downhill skiing backwards.

Anders registered a death-defying speed of 133.46 km/h (82.92 mph) while skiing ‘switch’ (backwards) down Vikersund Hill, a 240-metre-high ski flying hill in Norway. 

He went 2.23 km/h (1.38 mph) faster than the previous record, set by Switzerland’s Elias Ambüehl in 2017. Anders had initially set the record in 2012 with a speed of 128.7 km/h (79.97 mph).

His last record attempt also took place at Vikersund, but this time around he started at the very top of the hill to gain extra speed. 

He began by skiing forwards down the in-run (the steep part of the ramp designed for building speed) before doing a 180° rotation at the jump point, then landing backwards and continuing down the slope.

Maintaining his stance and staying balanced was the hardest part of the challenge for Anders. 

He said: “When you drop in, things are going so fast. You are quickly up to around 100km/h in the in-run, doing the 180 out of the ski jump, and then focusing on stomping the landing and keeping the position and balance all the way down. And also getting ready for the g-force at the bottom!”

When you start to boost over 120 km/h, it’s a whole new game.

Despite travelling at such an extreme speed, Anders wasn’t worried about crashing – he says he didn’t have any time to think about it, remaining fully focused on successfully executing the stunt.

He prepared for the record attempt by refining his skiing stance and adjusting his ski suit to fit as tightly as possible, minimizing drag. He also experimented with different types of ski wax (a substance applied to the underside of skis) to maximize speed.

Anders became a pro skier in 2006, aged 19. He’s travelled the world over the past two decades, notably competing in the Winter X Games twice, jumping over the iron globe at Nordkapp in Norway, and featuring in the documentaries Supervention and Supervention 2.

Reclaiming this world record is another highlight in Anders's storied skiing career.

He said: “I’m super stoked on getting the record back and also setting it in my hometown Vikersund where I started skiing.

“I’m proud and honoured to be back in the Guinness World Records.”

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