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Video: Wakeboarding Behind an Airplane

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Wakeboarding world champion Bernhard Hinterberger became the first person to skim across water while being towed by an airplane in flight.
  • The unprecedented feat took place on Italy's Po River, with Hinterberger pulled by a Zlin Savage kitplane at speeds of 45-55 knots.
  • High speeds posed challenges for the wakeboard, causing it to flex and making the water feel "as hard as rock," but Hinterberger successfully completed the unique stunt.
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They say very few aviation records are left to be broken, but here’s one that’s never been tried before, at least as far as we know. Wakeboarding world champion Bernhard Hinterberger recently became the first person ever to skim across the water while being towed by an airplane in flight.

Hinterberger and his team accomplished the feat on the Po, Italy’s longest river, behind a Zlin Savage kitplane. The Cub lookalike pulled Hinterberger at speeds of around 45 to 55 knots, far faster than wakeboarders normally travel on the water behind boats.

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