Red Bull’s Crashed Ice is likely the most terrifying sport invented by the drink manufacturer, where it seems the only way to survive is with ‘wings’. Prior to the skate finals in Valkenburg, The Netherlands, Red Bull sent four of their sponsored riders down the track in a feat that is nothing other than awe-inspiring.
While the riders were a mere warm up for the Crashed Ice final, which features ice skaters, the four: Joost Wichman (4X, RoseVaujany), Nico Vink (downhill, RoseVaujany), Rick Koekoek (trail, Ricco Bikes) and Martijn Jaspers (BMX, GT Bicycles), wowed the crowd — 25,000 strong — and likely proved the cycling equivalent is worth Red Bull development. The event is something you have to watch to appreciate:
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Red Bull Crashed Ice bike exhibition (credit: BKN dirt productions)
Crashed Ice was born from Ice Cross Downhill, first run by Red Bull in 2001. The sport takes four skaters, outfitted in hockey gear, and pits them head to head down a massive steroid-infused luge course complete with jumps, berms and other features (something the likes of Running Man, minus the murderous gladiators).
The Valkenburg course spanned some 155m with a 60m vertical drop. The riders took the course on with their preferred weapon — 4X, trail, and BMX bikes — with the addition of heavily studded custom tires. The riders were clocked mere fractions slower than the skaters.
Crashed Ice (skate) has two more stops in 2012: Are, Sweden, 16-18 February and Quebec City, Canada, 15-17 March.
