This year, both racers and fans alike can expect another spectacular glacial makeover of Quebec City’s famous and sinuous Côte de la Montagne. Running 565 meters in length with a 60m vertical, the Red Bull Crashed Ice 2010 course will start under the inconic gaze of the Château Frontenac and conclude by the icy currents of the Saint Lawrence River at Place de Paris. Reaching speeds of up to 60 km/hr, racers won’t have time to admire the stunning landscape of the city as they face vertical drops, turns and bumps along their way to the bottom.
The starting gate is the first and last chance for skaters to take in the view, because just after the whistle blows competitors will storm down the Rue du Fort and hit the barrel jump, an homage to the classic Quebecois sport. Racers will reach speeds of over 50 km/hr before hitting a spectacular re-imagined turn in front of the Post Office, which sits across from the Parc Montmorency and one of the oldest schools in North America, the Petit Séminaire de Québec. This is where the real action starts, ladies and gentlemen. Skaters will be faced with the “Splitter”, where the course splits to accommodate the two arches under the Porte Prescott, forcing the racers to pick sides; either the fastest but tightest one or the slowest but largest side.
Next, in the middle of the steepest part of Côte de la Montagne, the track will make a sharp left which will certainly be the most decisive path of the course. The action quickly fast forwards at the “Painted Wall Drop” -- as skaters will be consumed by the downhill banked corner draining them down to Place Royale, home of the oldest church in North America.
With glory and the Saint-Lawrence again in sight, the skaters will sprint down “The Royal Corridor” and hit the Victory Turn before the finish line on Place de Paris. If they’ve got the skills, then its back to the top for another run until one racer is crowned champ in the both the Men’s and Women’s Divisions.
Track in Quebec City:
Length: 565m
Width: 5m
Vertical drop: 60m
Corners: 8
Jumps: 6
Steepest gradient: 40 degrees
Top speed: 60 km/h
Construction time (days): 34 days (work on-site from February 25 to March 30)
Construction team (persons): 250 workers involved into the preparation of the event (outdoor)
Comments
Add a comment