Party Crashers : Meet the Speed Demons of Red Bull Crashed Ice
Party Crashers : Meet the Speed Demons of Red Bull Crashed Ice
By Emma FischEr
Skating on the Rideau Canal is about to get extreme . Red Bull Crashed Ice is bringing the international phenomenon of ice cross downhill to the capital ’ s famous skateway ( March 3 to 4 ) to help mark Canada ’ s 150th birthday . We explain this daring , new sport :
What is it ? It ’ s been called the fastest sport on skates . Ice cross downhill is a thrilling mix between hockey and downhill skiing . Racers have to navigate a steep , downhill course ( up to 600 metres long ) of tight turns , vertical drops , and other obstacles at speeds upwards of 85 kilometres an hour — all this while jostling with three other racers on the icy track . First to the bottom wins !
How old is it ? Red Bull Crashed Ice is a world championship series featuring ice cross downhill races around the world . The first race was held in 2001 , but it has been a formal series since 2010 . Ottawa will host the 2017 season finale .
Is it absolutely insane ? Most definitely . If you take into consideration that these athletes speed down ice on blades at highway traffic speeds , there ’ s definitely room to wonder if they ’ re crazy . Definitely a sport that you ’ ll want to watch , but not try !
22 where . ca march / april 2017