The tracks are made of steel scaffolding, topped by wood shaped to the desired curves, covered with flexible mats and a network of tubes filled with cooled fluid like glycol—then water is sprayed onto the whole track, slowly building up a four-inch layer of slick ice.
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Mar 01, 2019 · An ice cross downhill race is compelling primarily because it's exciting. Though the races last less than a minute, every second between the opening of the starting gates high atop a steep, icy drop to the moment the racers cross the finish line, often with skates outstretched to gain that half-inch that makes the difference in a photo finish, an ice race is pure action.
Ice Cross Downhill courses are specifically designed with and icy surface that is suitable for ice skates. Similar to ski cross and snowboard cross, the course consists of several sharp turns both on the left and the right, ramps for jumps, and vertical drops. The only addition to ice cross downhill courses is that the course has protective barrier walls on both sides of the track. …
A program specifically created for the sport of Ice Cross Downhill! Loaded with drills and movements focused on making YOU a better athlete while maximizing your potential. This training regimen is packed with a TON of exercises carefully curated to make YOU a better racer while preparing for the upcoming season!
Aug 02, 2021 · The major objective of the riders participating in the ice cross downhill events is to perform well at the racecourse abiding all the rules and points are awarded for finishing up the entire course in the minimum time. The one who earns the maximum points in at least three races is declared as the winner.
An ice cross downhill race is compelling primarily because it's exciting.
The fastest speed recorded during an ice cross downhill race clocked a racer skating at just over 47 miles per hour.
That lack of associations is one of the sport's main barriers to entry into the Winter Games: a sport needs to have official organizations in 25 countries for entry; as of now, ice cross downhill has only 14.
The Red Bull Crashed Ice event at Fenway Park in Boston.
Red Bull staged the first official ice cross downhill race in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2001. The track was 300 meters long and it was constructed right along a series of city streets. The ice the event organizers used was sourced from a local fish market.
Though ice cross downhill racing isn't an Olympic event yet, the compelling sport hasn't gone unnoticed by the International Olympic Committee, the governing body of the games.
While hardly a world-class event, that first race was a proof of concept: downhill ice racing worked as a competitive sport as well as a spectator event.
Ice Cross Downhill is an extreme winter racing sport which involves direct racing of multiple skaters on a downhill course. The sport is similar to ski cross racing or snowboard cross racing, the only difference is the equipment used is ice skates, instead of skis or snowboards.
Red Bull Crashed Ice is a major world tour for the sport which consists of several races in North America and Europe. Points are awarded to racers based on finishing position and the racer with the most points at the end of the tour is declared as the world champion.
Slopestyle Skiing — involves snow skiing down a course of obstacles.
Besides the skates, racers wear the same equipment as used in ice hockey. A maximum of four racers start each race, and the one to cross the finish line first is the winner. Competitions are conducted in heats format, where racers are eliminated until only four are left for the final race to decide the overall winner.
Long Track Speed Skating - ice skaters race head to head on a 400m oval track for a set distance, between 500 and 10,000 m.
The Red Bull Crashed Ice season is in the books, but it's not too early to think about getting into the sport for the next winter. Jacqueline Legere shares her pointers.
Though Legere, now a two-time World Champion, has been on the Red Bull Crashed Ice circuit for a handful of years, she still attends a few Riders Cup events a year. Though these events are worth less points than their larger counterpart, they are critical for competitors in the throes of tight margins for the overall lead.
(right) catch some air during the Ice Cross Downhill Championship World Series in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on February 21, 2015. #
Imagine hurtling down a narrow, twisting, hilly ice track on skates at speeds up to 50 miles per hour, then trying to go even faster so you can outpace the competitors at your elbow. This is downhill ice cross. Beginning back in 2001, Red Bull has been sponsoring races and a world tour under the name “Red Bull Crashed Ice,” building enormous ice tracks in historic city centers to challenge the racers who train for the sport. The tracks are made of steel scaffolding, topped by wood shaped to the desired curves, covered with flexible mats and a network of tubes filled with cooled fluid like glycol—then water is sprayed onto the whole track, slowly building up a four-inch layer of slick ice. Gathered here are ice cross images from recent years in cities in Europe and North America.
The Crashed Ice course is set up in the historic section of Quebec City, including this 43-degree slope, on March 1, 2007. #
Canadian skater Jacqueline Legere celebrates after winning the Red Bull Crashed Ice Championship in Marseille on January 14, 2017. #
It calls itself “the fastest sport on skates.’’ So who are the skaters? Athletes from 25 countries and six continents currently make up the Red Bull Crashed Ice field. Many former ice hockey players participate, as strong skating skills are paramount. Ice cross downhill skating also takes a mix of strength, quickness, toughness, and endurance.
Founded by Red Bull, the first race was held in 2001. For the first nine years, Red Bull Crashed Ice held stand-alone events in cities across the globe. Since 2010, the sport has transitioned into a more organized enterprise, with a world champion being crowned at the end of each season.