Four riders line up at the start line, chilling winter air flows through their helmets. A giant steel track, thousands of square meters of ice, stunning surroundings and some of the toughest athletes in the world. Since 2001, Red Bull Crashed Ice has developed into one of the worlds most exciting events. For the past few years, Red Bull Crashed Ice has made its way to St. Paul. This year Red Bull Crashed Ice will be held on Feb. 20-22.

Senior Sam Schied said, “Red Bull Crashed Ice is an experience worth having. The atmosphere is exhilarating and the sport is more than entertaining to watch. It’s really breath taking watching the athletes skate down such a difficult track.”

The riders propel themselves down courses up to 600 meters long trying to reach the finish line first. Pushing, shoving, and sprinting their way to the end the four riders have very simple rules to follow, get to the finish line first and you win. The track is not a straight slab of ice, it contains hills and bumps and turns that make it that much more difficult to reach the bottom.

Sophomore Carly Federowski said, “I couldn’t believe how chaotic the race looked. I can only begin to imagine how much skill and strength those skaters must need to compete and hopefully win. They take skating to a whole new level.”

Riders can reach speeds up to about 45mph. The event it performed in a typical knockout format, starting with 64 skaters and progressively decreasing to four final skaters to compete for first. With only first and second place from each heat of four making it through to the next round, competition is intense.

“The atmosphere of the event is great for people of all ages. I went with my family but I’m really considering going again this year with a group of friends. Hopefully make a day out of it and grab some dinner in St. Paul after and just hang out,” said Federowski.

Crashed Ice can be most directly related to the sport of cross country skiing. Skiers go down a snow course containing jumps and sharp corners four at a time just like in Red Bull Crashed Ice. Physical contact is not officially permitted in both sports but with the high speeds and the difficulty of the course there is no question there will be some insane crashes.

Red Bull’s Crashed Ice is an event that will be held in St. Paul for years to come. Nothing but great reviews have been said about the experience and it is a unique place to spend time with family and friends.