Speed skier breaks own world record at 252km/hour

A world-skiing champion has outdone his own world speed skiing record when he hit a top speed of 252.632 kilometres per hour (156.978 mph).

Italian Simone Origone's eye-watering effort down the specially groomed Chabrieres piste in the French resort of Vars bettered his previous best of 252.454 km/h set in March 2014.

Windy conditions forced the 35-year-old to reduce his start by 25 metres from the optimal peak of Chabrieres, which has a 98 per cent gradient at its steepest point.

Origone had already clocked the third fastest time ever, 251.397 km/h, on Thursday.