The World Unlimited water speed record is the officially recognised fastest speed achieved by a water-borne vehicle. The current record of 511 km/h (317 mph) was achieved in 1978.
- From 1909 to 1927 the record was an unofficial listing from the organisers of powerboat races.
- In 1928 the record category was officially established.
- From 1930 the rules of the record stipulated that a craft must make two runs over a timed kilometre course in opposite directions, with the record being the average speed of the two runs.
- The record is currently ratified by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM).
With an approximate fatality rate of 85% since 1940, the record is one of the sporting world's most hazardous competitions.
Read more about Water Speed Record: Before 1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, Boat Design Changes, 1940s, 1950s. Slo-Mo-Shun and Bluebird: Propriders To Turbojets, 1967, 1970s To The Present, Current Projects, Record Holders
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