Water skiing world record attempt nearing final stages

36-year-old Alex Luther is nearing the end of his world record attempt to water ski across the Mediterranean coastline and match a world record set by his grandfather in 1970.

Alex received a royal welcome from H.S.H Prince Albert II of Monaco after arriving in the principality following a remarkable 11-hour day water skiing through rough sea conditions.

Upon his arrival, Alex presented a miniature water ski to the Prince in a tribute to his grandfather’s similar offering of a handcrafted water ski to Prince Rainier III on his visit to Monaco in 1970.

The ceremony marked the end of day four of the Chasing Canguro world record attempt in which Alex is seeking to emulate the historical time set by his grandfather, Harry ‘Canguro’ Luther. Harry was an Australian-born, world champion marathon water skier and is perhaps best known for his achievement around the Med, which saw him skiing 5,010 kilometres in just 10 days, five hours and 36 minutes.

Alex has since been skiing the Mediterranean coastline from southern Spain to France after setting off from Tangier, Morocco on 26^th June. As predicted, the team has experienced testing conditions, battling against swells of almost five metres – extending sections of the 22-leg journey, sometimes by a number of hours.

The Chasing Canguro attempt will finish in Cervia, Italy. He will need to finish the entire challenge in ten days to be in with a chance of beating his target time.

Speaking on his arrival in Monaco, Alex admitted the day’s 11-hour leg had been “very tough, both mentally and physically”.

“Leaving Barcelona, we had some reasonable water for two hours up the coast heading to our first fuel stop. We then decided to make up time and head straight towards Monaco, away from the coast and into no-man’s land, where we spent six hours,” he added.

Chasing Canguro has received sponsorship from Mercury Marine, specialists of marine propulsion systems, and global marine brokers Axopar.

For more information, visit the Chasing Canguro website.