Virgin Media: Speed Demons

Virgin Media and its 'Speed Demons' skateboarding team, have achieved a Guinness World Records title for the Fastest standing skateboard speed downhill (team), with the incredible feat shown as an ad break takeover on Channel 4 during the Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix highlights on Sunday 24 April. The inspiring film, which is the latest instalment of Virgin Media's 'We’re Better, Connected' campaign, was created by adam&eveDDB and features Guinness World Records title holder Peter Dashwood-Connolly and his team of Virgin Media 'Speed Demons'- a quartet of speed skateboarders from the UK and Europe. The location of the film and the successful record attempt was achieved in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside, with the team having to endure challenging bends, slopes and weather conditions during their record-breaking endeavours. To achieve the record, the speed skaters needed to travel connected at a speed faster than 49.7mph under the watchful eye of an official Guinness World Records adjudicator. The film begins by showing the team of skateboarders coming together over breakfast to plan the record attempt and work out exactly how they can accomplish the record. It captures the trials and tribulations of the record attempt, with the groups’ successes and failures being captured on camera. The high-octane sprint down the mountain is captured using drones, showing the connected nature of the stunt. The finale of the new film concludes with the team finishing their record attempt, with a rush of CO2 cannons, cheering fans in attendance and fireworks as they cross the finish line. There is then a moment of suspense as the skateboarders await confirmation from the adjudicator. After some deliberation, the adjudicator officially announces that the Virgin Media Speed Demons have broken the Guinness World Records title for the Fastest standing skateboard speed downhill (team) with a top speed of 52.788mph, smashing the previous record and presents them with their certificate.