Speedboat surpasses ordinary flight limits, traveling 338 kilometers per hour and soaring 18 meters into the air.
In the Heart of the Desert, A Thrilling yet Chilling Record Attempt
Over the weekend, an unbelievable spectacle unfolded at the Desert Storm competition, a renowned event held in Mohave, Arizona, USA, where high-performance vehicles reach their peak speed. A 388 Skater speedboat, equipped with an astonishing 10,000 horsepower, made a daring attempt to break the speed record, resulting in an impressive, albeit unsettling, five-second flight.
Radar readings indicated that the vessel reached an astounding speed of nearly 338 km/h before it momentarily soared 18 meters above the water surface. The incident left spectators on edge, unsure of what to expect, including the possibility of a tragic outcome.
According to The New York Times, the two men aboard, estimated to be around 50 years old, were hospitalized. One suffered a broken clavicle and fractured ribs, while the other endured a broken knee. Yet remarkably, their injuries were minimal compared to the circumstances.
Ryan Olah, a crew member who wasn't on board, explained the duo's condition, stating that they laughed about the incident and barely remembered the event, remembering only being tossed around and launched into the air.
Ray Lee, a racing expert, described the scene: "The boat was suspended in the air for much longer than we’re accustomed to, flipping and somersaulting before crashing back into the water." He added that such aerial acrobatics were unusual, as most boats simply rise, turn, and descend.
The boat's flight briefly halted the team's record attempt, but they ultimately won the top speed event, although they did not officially break the existing record of 206 mph. Ken Warby set the record in Australia in 1978, when he maneuvered a jet-powered hydroplane and reached an unparalleled speed of 511 km/h, according to Guinness World Records.
Lake Havasu has a reputation for hosting high-speed boat racing events, though this incident served as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with such activities. Since the area's inception, it has recorded 11 fatal crashes related to racing events[3].
[1] SRU News - Desert Storm boat flight captured on tape: https://www.sru.edu/knowledge-centers/affiliates/sru-tv/sru-news/2025/desert-storm-boat-flight-captured-on-tape[2] The New York Times - Speedboat Flies at Desert Storm Competition, Leaving Two Critically Injured: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/15/us/desert-storm-boat-crash.html[3] The History of Lake Havasu - Racing Accidents: https://www.lakehavasuhistory.org/racing-accidents/
- In the shocking Desert Storm incident, the hydroplane, Loro, soared 18 meters above the world, causing injuries to its crew members, with one suffering a broken clavicle and fractured ribs, and the other a broken knee.
- Despite the unconventional aerial acrobatics that temporarily halted their record attempt, the two men aboard the speedboat, both estimated to be around 50 years old, managed to win the top speed event, albeit they did not surpass the existing record of 511 km/h set by Ken Warby in a jet-powered hydroplane in Australia in 1978.
- With 11 fatal crashes related to racing events recorded since its inception, Lake Havasu serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers inherent in high-speed boat racing, underscoring the potential risks associated with such sports.
