Red Bull Crashed Ice world finals: 8 things that you should know
The Ice Cross Downhill World Series Season Finale, better known as Red Bull Crashed Ice, will crash into the spotlight in Ottawa this Friday and Saturday.
A track has been constructed on the Ottawa Locks of the Rideau Canal, right beside the Fairmont Château Laurier hotel and adjacent to Parliament Hill, for the novelty race event that looks a bit like a mishmash of hockey and roller derby on a twisting, rolling icecovered surface.
Here’s the basic information you’ll need for the event.
Friday’s schedule: Gates open to the general public at 4 p.m.; world junior championships, 6-9:30 p.m.
Saturday’s schedule: Gates open at 4 p.m.; Ice Cross Downhill World Finals, 6-10 p.m.
Tickets?: Not required. Admission is free. Public viewing area entrances: Wellington Street stairs or from under Wellington Bridge — to track centre and also east and west sides of track; Wellington, Elgin and Rideau streets — to “Wellington Zone”; Mackenzie and Murray streets — to “Major’s Hill Park Zone”; ByWard Market Square and Sussex Drive — to “York Street Activation Zone”; universal access reserved for people with disabilities or requiring assistance.
The really big picture: Not every viewing area provides a look at the entire track, but promoters promise large screens will project the races “from every angle.”
Traffic alert: The City of Ottawa says people should expect road closures on Wellington, Elgin and York streets. The full list is available online.
Dress warmly: As of Wednesday evening, the Environment Canada forecast predicted daytime high temperatures of -8 and -9C for Ottawa on Friday and Saturday, with temperatures dropping to -21 and -11 overnight, respectively. News and updates?: Follow @RedBullCanada on Instagram, #RedBullCrashedIce on Twitter and on the Internet at RedBullCrashedIce.com. There will also be a livestream feed on Red Bull TV plus television coverage on Sportsnet 360 and TVA Sports.