Valentina Greggio has once again rewritten the record books, setting a new women’s speed skiing world record of 248.270 km/h (154.29 mph), according to FIS Speed Skiing.
The Italian speed specialist surpassed her own long-standing mark of 247.083 km/h, which she set back in 2016, further cementing her dominance in one of skiing’s most extreme disciplines.
Speed skiing, often described as the fastest non-motorized sport on Earth, pushes athletes down specially prepared courses in aerodynamic suits and helmets, with minimal turning and maximum velocity. At these speeds, even small gains are significant — making Greggio’s new record a remarkable achievement nearly a decade after her previous benchmark.
The 35-year-old’s dominance goes far beyond a single record. Greggio has amassed 55 World Cup victories and six World Championship titles, making her the most decorated athletes in the history of speed skiing. She has been holding the Guinness Book World Record for most World Cup titles in speed skiing since 2022.
While the overall world record remains with Simon Billy — who reached 255.50 km/h (158.76 mph) in 2023 — Greggio’s latest run brings the women’s mark closer than ever to the sport’s absolute limits.
Greggio has long been the face of women’s speed skiing, consistently winning titles and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on skis. Her ability to return years later and improve on an already world-leading performance highlights not only her longevity but also the continued evolution of equipment, preparation, and course conditions in the sport.
Breaking a world record is rare. Breaking your own — years later—is something else entirely.
There are hopes of returning speed skiing to the 2030 Olympics in France. This niche ski sport was a demonstration sport at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, however, the International Olympic Committee deemed the sport too dangerous, after Swiss skier Nicolas Bochatay was killed in a collision with a snow groomer during a training run. The fatal accident contributed to the discipline not being adopted as a permanent Olympic sport. World record holder Simon Billy told CNN that an inclusion at the 2030 Winter Games would be “a bonus,” with competing at the Olympics still a dream for many in the tight-knit speed skiing community.
