Jaguar Drives Olympic Skier Graham Bell To Become Fastest Man On Skis

• Jaguar announced as lead technical partner for Guinness World #record attempt in 2017
• British skiing champion and five time Olympian #grahambell will attempt to reach speeds of over 160mph with a unique suit propelled by twin micro jets.
• Jaguar to provide expertise in aerodynamics, engineering and design
• High-speed training begins in the Alps skijoring with a #jaguar #xe all-wheel drive [AWD]
• Jaguar Land Rover engineering facilities key to project development
• Jaguar Land Rover cold weather testing facility in Arjeplog, Sweden will host the #record attempt in 2017.

• The current World #record is held by Italian Simone Oregone who achieved 156mph skiing downhill.

Today, #jaguar and Olympic skier #grahambell announced a technical partnership aimed at setting a Guinness World #record in 2017.

Graham, now TV presenter on successful British TV show 'The Jump', hopes to become the fastest man on skiis with the support of #jaguar Land Rover engineers, facilities and expertise in aerodynamics. 

Working with #jaguar to develop a unique ski suit and harness containing twin micro jets, Graham hopes to reach speeds of over 160mph - setting a new World #record. He has already begun training for the #record by ski-joring behind a #jaguar #xe AWD at over 100mph in the Austrian Alps.

Graham Bell, said "I approached #jaguar to become my lead technical partner due to their experience in aerodynamics and love of all things involving speed.  As lead technical partner in the attempt, #jaguar will provide the aerodynamic expertise to develop the Iron-Man-style suit I need, as well as helping me acclimatize to speed and external forces using high performance vehicles including the #jaguar #xe AWD - designed to provide maximum traction in adverse conditions including snow and ice."

Ian Anderton, thermal and aerodynamics manager, #jaguar Land Rover, said: "As engineering challenges go it doesn't get more unique than this, so the next few months are going to be very exciting.

"We kick-started the technical partnership by ski-joring with a #jaguar #xe AWD to determine what factors should to be taken into consideration when designing his suit, such as wind, skiing position and chill - especially in minus conditions.

"In many ways, it's very similar to the car design process, necessitating the perfect balance between aerodynamics, engineering and design for ultimate performance."

The #jaguar #xe has been optimised for ultimate aerodynamic efficiency and stability. It is the the only car in its class to use an aluminium-intensive body structure, making it the lightest, stiffest and most aerodynamic #jaguar yet.  The #xe AWD enhances vehicle dynamics and provides greater traction in intense weather conditions, making it a true all-weather sports saloon. 

The #record attempt will take place at Jaguar's cold weather testing facility in Sweden in early 2017. Although there is no comparable #record, the current World Downhill Speed Skiing World #record is currently held by Simone Oregone at 156mph.