Jasper Felder (Sweden) has won the spectacular ice downhill race six times in a row. Canadian Gabriel Andre brought this winning streak to a halt in a most convincing way at the first event held in North America.
30,000 spectators lined the 400-metre course in the heart of Quebec City, in Canada. They were looking forward to a fast and exciting race – and they were not disappointed. Red Bull Crashed Ice merges the toughest aspects of ice hockey, downhill skiing and boardercross – and the result is one of today’s most extraordinary sports.The Spell is Broken
A certain routine seemed to have established itself over the past six years: all races so far have been won by Swede Jasper Felder. But in 2006 the host nation Canada walked away with the trophy. Deservedly, according to winner Gabriel Andre: “This sport was invented for Canadians and it feels great to remind the Swedes of who the true kings of the ice are.” His triumph will have contributed somewhat to relieving the suffering in Canada’s ice-hockey soul.A Nation on the Podium
The 400-metre course had a vertical drop of 34 metres from start to finish and top speeds up to 50km/h. Multiple steep chutes, whoops, compression turns and jumps presented severe challenges to the athletes that don’t quite make the grade for world class. A total of 91 fearless athletes battled against each other in groups of four, and after five rounds the last four were left to compete in the final: Canadians Wade Hocking, Gabriel Andre and Sylvain Houle and Jasper Felder from Sweden. Felder finished in fourth place and, for the first time, was left standing alongside the podium.
But he would like to be back at the top in 2007. Whether he will be successful remains to be seen, judging from Gabriel Andre’s announcement: “After this success we Canadians will be difficult to beat. I can hardly wait to defend my title.”
Red Bull Crashed Ice
Red Bull Crashed Ice
