John Hembel
Former Speed Skiing World Champion
Home Country: U.S.A.
John "Mad Cow" Hembel was among the first Americans to break 150mph on skis. In 2003, he took the overall World Cup Championship.
“The wind tears at your body and your skis flop wildly as you fight to maintain position on the steep mountain. You feel a strong surge of acceleration as you hurtle down the steepest portion of the course. Freedom to me is flying downhill at over 150 mph.”
Career Highlights:
* In April 2002 at Les Arcs, France, Hembel joined the 150 mph club of speed skiing with a top speed of 153.01 mph.
* He became the U.S. record holder and the fastest American on skis.
* In 2003, John Hembel took the overall World Cup Championship in speed skiing.
