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World's longest water coaster opens
The world's longest water coaster has opened at Holiday World's Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana, US.
Situated in a wooded area north of Bahari wave pool, the 1,710ft (521m) Wildebeest experience begins with a conveyor ride up the coaster's lifthill. Following a 38ft (11.6m) drop at a 45˚ angle, eight linear induction motors power the four-person boats up seven more hills, through two tunnels and round a helix. The ride, which - in addition to being the world's longest - is the world's first ride-up HydroMagnetic water coaster, covers more than two acres, increasing the water park's size to 27 acres.
Wildebeest is 64ft (19.5m) tall and its 14 cars with toboggan-style seating hit a top speed of 36ft/sec (11m/sec) during the ride, with the total ride time being 2.5 minutes. The addition of the new ride marks the second largest single-ride investment in Holiday World's 64-year history. Costing US$5.5m (£3.8m, €4.5m) it was designed by ProSlide Technology of Ontario, Canada.
Wildebeest's debut came just days before the death, at 48, of Holiday World's owner, Will Koch. According to a press release issued by the park, he died of complications from diabetes. The park remained open, Koch's family saying that that is what he would have wanted. Image: Holiday World & Splashin' Safari
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