American breaks downhill sand skiing record by travelling nearly 80 mph, burning his skis

Moving faster than a hurricane, repeat record holder Johnny Cruz Buckingham (USA) flew past the timekeepers atop Toro Mata, Acari, Peru this 16 October to take the record for the fastest sand skiing speed of all time.

Whizzing alongside the measurement gun at an eye-watering speed of 78.91 mph (127 km/h), Johnny officially took the title from Mahé Freydier (France), who achieved his record at 75 mph (121 km/h) in the exact same location in Peru. 

Yet even though they dropped off the same dune, the American was able to narrowly beat the Frenchman’s time, overtaking his title by just 4 mph (6 km/h).

Despite the fact that Johnny has taken over a dozen Guinness World Records titles since 2025, the determined athlete says that he doesn’t take any accomplishment for granted – adding that he’s constantly looking for new challenges.

“I love the thrill of the chase,” he said to GWR. “It's not about breaking the record. It's about the excitement of planning it out and seeing if I can pull it off.”

After successfully taking the title for the fastest towed asphalt skiing in August 2025, he was on the hunt for some new skiing records when he learned about Mahé’s sandy feat. 

“As soon as I saw Freydier fly down that sand mountain, I knew I wanted to break his record,” Johnny said. As a lifelong skier, he always loves the extreme physical attempts – yet as it turns out, the mission wouldn’t nearly be as easy as he expected.

Following a planning period, Johnny reached out to Victor “Dito” Chavez, the owner of Dito Sand X-sports and a member of Peru's Olympic National Team. Dito was familiar with the Toro Mata dunes that Mahé used for his record attempt, so Johnny planned to meet the sand-surfer down in Peru in February to take his own shot at the title.

Joining Johnny on his adventure was another Guinness World Records title holder, Michael “Mike” Osborne Bedient II (USA). The pair met while attempting the most museums visited in 24 hours, and teamed up again for this record while in South America.

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Together, Johnny and Mike first made their way to Lima, Peru in February 2026 – eventually reaching the town of Huacachina later in the day. They then met up with Dito, who waxed their skis and prepared to take them down to Acari, but the drive took ages as they battled Peru’s rainy-season weather and snail-paced traffic. 

By the time they reached the summit of the sand dunes, Johnny describes feeling the jitters while looking down at the steep, gritty terrain. The team planted their poles at the top of the mountain, and while Dito and Mike sandboarded downhill to set up the speedgun and cameras, the skier stared at his route and tried to ease his anxiety. 

“I was scared. Like, really scared,” he admitted. “I've straightlined runs before, but never on sand and never a run that big. 

“But we took the time to fly down there, so I couldn't back out. I prepped my gear, turned on the cameras, and signaled that I was ready to go.”

During attempt number one, Johnny was strapped within his “normal” snow skis, and heavily-protected in a pair of snow pants and a baggy shirt. His first speed clocked in at 60 mph (97 km/h), so Dito recommended that he shed the heavy gear to prevent drag, and use his other pair of skis to glide better on the sandy terrain. The next three attempts, he said he felt “immediately faster”.

The team only had time for two more attempts before they had to head back to the airport, so Johnny did as much as possible to increase his speed within his last runs. He shed all of his baggy clothing, and tried one more run in his faster skis – but soon the wax had burned off, and he could only get to a maximum of 74.56 mph (120 km/h) before they had to leave. Disappointed, they returned to America. 

Throughout the next few months, Johnny was incredibly busy with his personal and professional life, as he completed the Army Mountaineering School and graduated from the Yale School of Management with his MBA. When September hit, the Air Force officer and his family – including his wife and his son, Hurricane Thomas – relocated to a new base in Texas, yet Johnny was still determined to beat his sand skiing record, so he called Dito and Mike back up and planned a redo for October 2026.

His first attempt back in Peru went well, but upon his second, an accident occurred. After hitting 55 mph (89 km/h) – the speed of a running gazelle – Johnny crashed hard, stumbling over the abrupt round-out at the bottom of the hill. 

“I bent my ankle back and twisted my knee,” he said. “I thought I tore something in both of them and was worried that I was done.”

Though if you know anything about Johnny – he doesn’t give up that easily.

After choosing to reattempt back at Toro Mata, they drove back up the hill and were able to clock a downhill speed of 72.7 mph (117 km/h). Inspired to complete the challenge in the morning – when the sand was cold and the sun had barely touched the horizon – they returned the following day, ready to make history.

And as soon as the sunrays offered just enough light to see, Johnny signaled to the team, and set off on his 10th and final run.

“I hopped up, pointed my skis straight down, got in my tuck, and focused on nothing other than staying in position until I hit the bottom,” he said. “I felt fast. I felt focused. I felt like I was going the fastest I had ever gone. I could hear the wind grow louder the further I went down. 

“When I rounded out at the bottom, I knew I had gone faster than 75 mph (121 km/h). I just felt it,” he continued. “Sure enough, Dito called out 77 mph (124 km/h). Mike's radar gun said 78.9 mph (127 km/h). 

“I freaking did it! It was surreal, and I couldn't believe it finally happened. I was thankful because I was alive, and now I could finally celebrate the win.”

Following their celebrations, Johnny and Mike returned to America, eager to share their excitement with family and friends. Yet for the repeat record holder, this sandy mission was far from the last – and he says that in the future, he’d love to try out other extreme skiing records such as the fastest towed speed on skis, which currently stands at 117.48 mph (189.07 km/h) by Graham Bell and Jaguar Land Rover (both UK).

“If you have a goal or dream in mind, do it!” Johnny recommended to all other action-seekers. “Burn the boats and do whatever it takes to make it happen. 

“You only live once, and you might as well swing for the fences. I hope my son is inspired by that mindset and lives an adventurous, fulfilling life.”

And that, we’re sure, he will. 

Congratulations, Johnny – once again, you are Officially Amazing!