A man attempting to water ski the Mediterranean coastline has matched the world record set by his grandfather almost 50 years ago.
Alex Luther, 36, water skied a total of 3,572 kilometres from Tangiers to Pula in Croatia, covering the Spanish, French, Monaco and Italian coasts. He set off on June 26 and completed the challenge in just ten days, matching the historical feat set by his grandfather Harry Luther in 1970.
He then made a final 127.5km journey from Pula to Cervia in Italy where a welcome party awaited him. “It feels surreal, I feel like I have been in a dream that started over seven years ago,” Alex said on his arrival.
Advances in marine technology meant Alex was able to offset rough sea conditions and adverse weather which almost scuppered the challenge. He was forced to make up for perilous delays and even undertook a gruelling 11 hour leg, water skiing 558km from Barcelona to Monaco in one day.
As part of the challenge, Axopar Boats partnered with Chasing Canguro to provide an Axopar 37 Sun-Top Version-R to tow Alex along the Mediterranean coast.. Axopar Boats’ Jan-Erik Viitala congratulated Alex and the Chasing Canguro team on their “amazing achievement”.
“We would like to commend Alex on his strength and determination throughout the challenge, which is all the more impressive since he only began waterskiing five years ago specifically to undertake this quest.”