Get set for wacky races as daredevil skiers head to Scotland
IT is the nearest winters sports ever get to a demolition derby. Every year hundreds of skiers and snowboarders take to the slopes for the ultimate downhill race ... at the same time.
For a decade, the Red Bull Homerun, despite a dramatic pile-up in Sweden in 2016, has lured daredevils from around the world.
Next month, it will come to Scotland for the first time, with 300 adrenaline junkies tearing down the Glencoe Mountain Resort.
The race begins with competitors making a Le-mans style mass sprint to grab their skis and snowboards, before clipping in for a top-to-bottom downwards dash.
Among those taking part will be one of Britain’s top freeskiers, Paddy Graham, who will put personal pride at stake.
The Red Bull athlete said: “Personally, I’ve never prepared for any kind of race as a freestyle skier or had to work on a sprinting technique, but that’s just one of the things that makes the Red Bull Homerun stand out, being my first!
“I know I will have 299 other people trying to beat me, so I’ll be doing everything possible to make sure I’m the quickest out of the blocks come race day.
“This is a unique race and Glencoe is the perfect place to host the UK’S first edition of the Red Bull Homerun, I can’t wait to test out my technique.”
The event is open to all intermediate skiers and snowboarders over the age of
16. The fastest skiers and snowboarders across the line, both male and female, will be crowned winners.
Mr Graham will be hoping the weather changes. There is not, currently, enough snow in Glencoe for serious downhill skiing.
The Homerum has been referred to as a “nutty race” with the 2016 crash in Are, Sweden, in which no-one was hurt,– described as “mayhem”. The winner lost her poles and had to skate to victory after three skiers collided on a bend and many other racers crashed in to them.
Shortly after the event, all competitors will enjoy an unbeatable apres-ski party at the bottom of the mountain, said organisers.
Free coach transport from Glasgow and Edinburgh will be provided for any competitors travelling to the event from Scotland’s two biggest cities.
Red Bull Homerun will take place on Wednesday, March 13 in Glencoe, with the race set to get under way at 3pm. There are still places open for both competitors and spectators.