Imagine if the world's largest waterfalls (by volume) was to suddenly freeze over and you could skate down it? The three different Niagara Falls (Horseshoe Falls, American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls) are renowned both for their beauty and as a valuable source of hydroelectric power. Managing the balance between recreational, commercial, and industrial use of the waterfalls has been a challenge since the late 18th century. The town is are going to need all of their hydro come December 1st to keep a 500m long stretch of ice frozen solid for sixty or so players to race down to a finish line... and a world championship.
Red Bull Crashed Ice, otherwise known as Ice Cross Downhill is where you skate downhill and in an urban environment. Not only has Red Bull sponsored the event, but they helped create it and raise it up to enjoy popularlity it has today. The sport which is one part hockey, the other snowboard cross has four racers dressed in protective pads racing down a long track on skates!
Hockey players love this sport and there is a good discussions about Crashed Ice on Highschool hockey forum and Crashed Ice in Niagara Falls is discussed on NHL hockey forum because they have nothing else to rant about except the strike. Majiuana smokers like watching the event too and this thread about Crashed Ice in Niagara Falls on Grass City Forums is remarkably busy.
The biggest cost for such an event is the construction of the course itself, but in a way it is a chance for those hockey players who had their hockey dreams unfulfilled to use their skills for something totally unique. Read more about Crashed Ice on this Niagara Falls blog.
One of the most intense contact sports in the world, crashed ice is where hockey skate clad athletes race down an ice track with twists, turns and obstacles, battling eachother to see who can reach the finish line first - Niagara Falls blog
Red Bull has created its own sport!
In a recent article in the NY Times wrote about Red Bull’s Headlong Frozen Dash Is a Crash Course in Marketing, and Rick Dudley, president and chief executive of Octagon Sports Marketing is quoted as saying, “I’m not aware of another brand that has created its own sport... Red Bull has taken it a step further. They are taking it to the next evolution by taking over ownership.”
This year the tour kicks off in Niagara Falls just about a quarter mile from the actual waterfalls. The competitors standing at the START LINE will have the very best view, and I'm sure it will add to their emotional charge ... Some might wonder if its their last view?
The icy course on the south side of Clifton Hill is approximately 500 meters long as it winds its way along Majestic Blvd. The photo below is from 2008 when fans had unprecedented access to the competitors - they could literally reach out and touch players as they sped past. That level of access is rare in professional sports, and perhaps a bit too extreme...
This is a free event! On Saturday December 1st 2012 there will be over 80,000 people in attendance. Will you be one of them?
Recent Comments