Red Bull Crashed Ice - the craziest sport on the planet?

Red Bull Crashed Ice (formerly known as Ice Cross Downhill) is one of the most interesting and craziest sporting competitions I have seen in my life. It is a professional world tour competition in which some of the best and toughest ice hockey players come together in stunning environments and battle to become Crashed Ice World Champions.

Ice Cross Downhill consists of expert skaters fitted out in ice hockey gear, hurtling down ice courses up to 500 metres in length, in groups of four, shoulder to shoulder, battling it out at speeds of up to 70kh trying to cross the finish line first. 

   

The steep ice canals on which the competitors race are filled with bumps, jumps, rollers and obstacles. The courses are built within a city and twist and turn through streets, like the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix, only on ice.  

The competition is very tough and fierce as only the top two racers in each race progress through to the next race. 

The events are held in a classic knockout format, with a starting lineup of 64 racers cut down to just 4 in the final. 

I have watched a few races and I must admit, I am amazed at how physically and mentally challenging the sport is. Also,  the number of spectators that each event draws is quite surprising. 

Red Bull Crashed Ice is definitely not a sport for the faint hearted, it's quick, adrenaline pumping and brutal. All this comes together nicely in beautiful picturesque environments. The race in Quebec City in Canada is set right below the Chateau Frontenac, a beautiful, majestic castle. 

The competition has been going on since 2001 and has been increasing in popularity and getting better every year. I believe that there will be many more seasons to come as more and more people discover what is a seemingly non-publicised sport.