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The history of the World Water Speed Record is a story of technological advancement, human endeavour, tragedy and triumph. The aim of the Quicksilver project is to return this prestigious international prize to Britain, and in doing so add a vibrant chapter for a new era, bringing the latest technology to bear in the quest for speed with safety.
Britain and the United States vied for the record for decades, trading supremacy many times. A native of Ireland, driving a British-entered boat, broke the record four times in the early 1930s. On the eve of the Second World War, Germany had been close to mounting a bid, and Italy was a contender in the early 1950s, but Continental hopes were short-lived. The Anglo-American status quo was finally upset by Australia, a country which had not figured in the contest hitherto, in the late 1970s.
The current record of 317.60mph, although it has been challenged on several occasions, has stood resolute now for 33 years.
Who will be next to hold the coveted title of "World's-fastest on water"?
Holders of the World Water Speed Record
92.84 mph George Wood (USA) Miss America 7
- 04 December 1928 Revier Canal, Detroit, Michigan, USA
93.12 mph Gar Wood (USA) Miss America 7
- 25 March 1929 Indian Creek, Miami, Florida, USA
- 98.76 mph Sir Henry Segrave (GB) Miss England 2
- 13 June 1930 Lake Windermere, England
102.25 mph Gar Wood (USA) Miss America 9
- 20 March 1931 Indian River, Florida, USA
- 103.49 mph Kaye Don (Ireland) Miss England 2
- 02 April 1931 Parana River, Argentina
- 110.22 mph Kaye Don (Ireland) Miss England 2
- 09 July 1931 Lake Garda, Italy
- 111.72 mph Gar Wood (USA) Miss America 9
- 08 February 1932 Indian River, Florida, USA
- 117.43 mph Kaye Don (Ireland) Miss England 3
- 16 July 1932 Loch Lomond, Scotland
- 119.81 mph Kaye Don (Ireland) Miss England 3
- 16 July 1932 Loch Lomond, Scotland
- 124.86 mph Gar Wood (USA) Miss America 10
- 20 September 1932 St. Clair River, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- 126.33 mph Sir Malcolm Campbell (GB) Bluebird K3
- 01 September 1937 Lake Maggiore, Italy
- 129.56 mph Sir Malcolm Campbell (GB) Bluebird K3
- 02 September 1937 Lake Maggiore, Italy
- 130.93 mph Sir Malcolm Campbell (GB) Bluebird K3
- 17 September 1938 Lake Hallwyl, Switzerland
- 141.74 mph Sir Malcolm Campbell (GB) Bluebird K4
- 19 August 1939 Coniston Water, England
- 160.32 mph Stanley Sayres (USA) Slo-Mo-Shun 4
- 26 June 1950 Lake Washington, Washington, USA
- 178.49 mph Stanley Sayres (USA) Slo-Mo-Shun 4
- 07 July 1952 Lake Washington, Washington, USA
- 202.32 mph Donald Campbell (GB) Bluebird K7
- 23 July 1955 Lake Ullswater, England
- 216.23 mph Donald Campbell (GB) Bluebird K7
- 16 November 1955 Lake Mead, Nevada, USA
- 225.63 mph Donald Campbell (GB) Bluebird K7
- 20 September 1956 Coniston Water, England
- 239.07 mph Donald Campbell (GB) Bluebird K7
- 07 November 1957 Coniston Water, England
- 248.62 mph Donald Campbell (GB) Bluebird K7
- 10 November 1958 Coniston Water, England
- 260.35 mph Donald Campbell (GB) Bluebird K7
- 14 May 1959 Coniston Water, England
- 276.33 mph Donald Campbell (GB) Bluebird K7
- 31 December 1964 Lake Dumbleyung, W. Australia
- 285.21 mph Lee Taylor (USA) Hustler
- 30 June 1967 Lake Guntersville, Alabama, USA
- 288.18 mph Ken Warby (Australia) Spirit of Australia
- 20 November 1977 Blowering Dam Reservoir, NSW, Australia
- 317.60 mph Ken Warby (Australia) Spirit of Australia
- 08 October 1978 Blowering Dam Reservoir, NSW, Australia