A pair of recently released 300-hp Mercury Marine 4.6-liter V-8 Verado outboards will power an Axopar 37 Sun-Top powerboat that will tow Alex Luther, a 36-year-old Australian water-skier, in an attempt to break the world record his grandfather, Harry Luther, set in 1970. The news was announced in a press release from the Fond du Lac, Wis., marine engine and accessories manufacturer.

With Mercury Marine V-8 outboard engines providing the power, Alex Luther hopes to break a record set 48 years ago by his grandfather.

Harry Luther’s record still stands today—5,010 kilometers (3,113 miles) covered in 10 days, 5 hours, and 36 minutes. His grandson will attempt to break the record on June 26 in La Linea, Spain

“Together with Axopar, we have the perfect combination in place to set the team up for success in the anticipated conditions — with both reliability and the ultimate in performance assured by the Mercury twin engines,” said Alex Luther, in the release.

Following the same route his grandfather used, Luther plans to depart La Linea and head down the coastline of Tangier, Morocco, according to the release. The Chasing Canguro team will operate through all types of weather and water conditions as it proceeds along the coastlines of Spain, France, Monaco, Italy and Croatia, and then back to the finish line at Cervia, Italy. The route visits seven different countries and crosses six different seas, one strait and two gulfs.

“We’re pleased that the Chasing Canguro team and Axopar chose the Mercury 300hp V-8 Verado for this mission,” said Jussi Sepponen, Mercury Marine director of marketing and product management, EMEA, in the release. “These engines generate powerful torque and apply sophisticated technologies for mitigating noise and vibration, maximizing driver control, and optimizing throttle through turns and other maneuvers. They’re a great fit for the rigors of this marathon water-ski.”

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