What is the fastest sport?
Motor sports are the fastest sports overall, with drag racers exceeding 500 km/h. Among sports powered by people, speed skiing, where skiers reach over 250 km/h, is the fastest.
Top Fuel drag racing cars can accelerate from zero to more than 530 kilometers per hour in less than four seconds over 1,000 feet. Formula 1 cars reach speeds of over 350 kilometers per hour, and IndyCar racers hit similar speeds on oval tracks. Land speed record cars have gone even faster.
In speed skiing, athletes race straight down a steep slope wearing aerodynamic suits and helmets. The world record is above 255 kilometers per hour. Skydivers in speed skydiving dive head-first and can exceed 500 kilometers per hour. Downhill mountain bikers and luge athletes also reach very high speeds.
Fast ball sports
In ball sports, the fastest objects include golf balls off the tee, which can exceed 300 kilometers per hour, and the jai alai ball, hurled from a curved basket. Badminton shuttlecocks have been smashed at more than 560 kilometers per hour, though they slow down quickly.
Did You Know?
The fastest team sport on foot is often said to be ice hockey, where players skate at up to about 40 kilometers per hour and pucks can exceed 160 km/h.