Red Bull Crashed Ice Updates
Hello all. For those of that were following the Red Bull Crashed Ice Event, here they are.
Well, it was cancelled. The only information that was offered on their website and from e-mails I had received from their staff was that they had technical difficulties.
They were being kinda closed lipped about the particulars. I know spook
types that would give me more info than the Red Bull staff. My guess is the liquid chiller unit was down and they would have been cutting it close to get a replacement in time. They are not cheap either. It is one of the hurdles we face getting the prototype ice ramp built ($25k about).
Anyway they are supposed to have a another event in March of 2007 in Canada. Charles and I plan on skating that event since this one was canned. I did go to Boston anyway even though the Try-outs were cancelled, as the plane ticket I bought was non-refundable... well, at least without paying huge penalties. Regardless of the setback, Charles and I skated a couple of the ice rinks and had a great time. I can do this one move that is basically a sliding one footed hockey stop that has a extremely high snow spray (like 12-15 feet high) and the same in length depending on ice conditions and how sharp the blades are. If this sunrises you, it's true. I'll post video on the Ice Ramps website soon.
Anyway, I experienced some pain due to a glitch.
I was watching the traffic patterns in the public session and went to attempt this move. Just when I picked up max speed I started the move, this little girl came out of nowhere, crossing my path as she skated across the rink instead of with the flow. So, I had just started the initial slide on my left shin / knee and was about to place my right skate blade down to spray. I neither wanted to risk hitting her or covering her in ice. So, I hard planted my right blade down and came to a immediate halt! I was going from 35-40 mph to zero on a dime. It worked, but the speed of my forward movement drove the knee and thigh of the right leg into my chest... and hard. It knocked the wind out of me for a minute. While I continued to skate for another 30 minutes after this happened, I later realized this was much like a car accident. My neck and shoulder blades are really sore from whip-lash or something. That and getting old. ;)
Anyway, hopefully, there will not be any more issues with the next Red Bull event this coming Spring. I hope that those of you that went to A2A had a great time!
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