The ATSX Ice Cross World Championship collection, proven above in 2020 at Le Massif de Charlevoix in Quebec, is coming to Maine for the primary time in February at Misplaced Valley ski space in Auburn. Photograph courtesy of Sebastian Marko
One of many latest excessive winter sports activities is coming to Maine subsequent month when Misplaced Valley ski space in Auburn serves as solely the second venue in America to host ice cross races within the ATSX Ice Cross World Championship Sequence.
The occasion, scheduled for Feb. 10-12, will convey collectively as many as 70 of the world’s high ice cross athletes – and provide newcomers the prospect to do that fast-paced, difficult sport alongside them. A observe day on Feb. 9 will open the course to any novice racers who pay the $150 registration price and signal a waiver to compete within the races.
Ice cross is much like ski cross – the Olympic sport wherein ski racers compete head-to-head down a steep hill whereas maneuvering twists, banked turns, jumps and drops. On this case, ice cross racers put on skates to navigate an ice-covered ski path. Image pace skaters padded in hockey gear racing down a steep sheet of ice, with 4 of them without delay vying for the end line. And, sure, generally they wipe out.
In contrast to ski cross, ice cross will not be but an Olympic sport. The world governing physique for ice cross, the All Terrain Skate Cross Federation (ATSX), was based solely in 2015. ATSX units the foundations for the downhill sport, whereas the U.S. Ice Cross Affiliation builds the programs and runs the occasions in America.
Girls, males and juniors (ages 15 to 21) compete in separate divisions in races held in Canada, Europe and america. Along with the Misplaced Valley occasion, races on this yr’s world championship level collection are in Austria, France, Finland, Quebec and Wisconsin.
At every occasion, a number of heats are held over two days to find out the 4 high racers who will vie head-to-head for the title. On the Misplaced Valley race, the time trials that seed athletes for the finals will probably be held on Friday. The finals on Saturday will use a tournament-style bracket the place the highest two racers advance from every warmth till 4 are left – a format that offers new racers an opportunity to make the finals and acquire worthwhile racing expertise.
Racers accrue factors all through the seven-race collection to find out the world champion. Most of the world’s high ice cross racers have sponsors that assist pay their journey bills, however there isn’t any prize cash.
“None of us do that as our day job. It’s an enormous ardour, generally extra of a passion,” stated U.S. Ice Cross Affiliation President Kale Johnstone, who additionally races and is ranked twenty ninth on the earth.
The ATSX Ice Cross World Championship at Mont du Lac Resort in Superior, Wisconsin, in 2022 attracted a whole lot of spectators. Craig Madsen / ATSX Ice Cross
Whereas ice cross might be harmful, severe accidents are uncommon, Johnstone stated. Nonetheless, an ambulance is current at each U.S. race and helmets are required. Wrist sprains and breaks usually are not unusual.
“It’s humorous lots of people are involved about accidents. I had extra accidents in hockey than ice cross, to be utterly trustworthy,” Johnstone stated.
Johnstone, a local of Chicago, wished to convey ice cross to Maine as a result of he went to Hebron Academy and is aware of New Englanders love ice hockey. Final winter he inquired at Maine ski areas in the event that they wished to host an ice cross race. Misplaced Valley, he stated, was the quickest “to get to sure.”
Since then, Misplaced Valley has fielded calls from hockey fanatics throughout New England and Canada.
“We’ve been getting telephone calls from up and down the East Coast,” stated John Herrick, the Misplaced Valley normal supervisor. “The final particular person was a girl from New Jersey who’s bought three sons who’re all hockey gamers. They’re driving up for the race. The sons need to take part.”
The U.S. Ice Cross Affiliation will ship a four-person crew to Misplaced Valley two weeks earlier than the race to construct a roughly 1,500-foot-long observe that’s about 20 ft vast. The observe will probably be formed with a groomer then lined with freezing water over the course of a number of nights to create the exhausting ice floor.
After the designated day of observe on Thursday and two days of ice cross races, the occasion additionally will function “children cross” on Sunday. The affiliation will pair up seasoned ice cross racers with youngsters to information them down a lower-level course.
“I do know it sounds loopy, however the children are often extra fearless than the individuals racing,” stated Suzanne Driscoll, a 28-year-old ice cross racer from Yarmouth.
Driscoll, who grew up enjoying hockey and now performs in a males’s league in Falmouth, is ranked twenty fourth on the earth amongst girls ice cross racers. She believes different hockey gamers in Maine will probably be drawn to the fun and pleasure of ice cross as soon as they see the game.
Suzanne Driscoll of Yarmouth will probably be one in all at the very least 70 skilled racers who will compete subsequent month at Misplaced Valley. Michelle Slark photograph
“It’s undoubtedly lots of adrenaline. It’s sort of like a curler coaster,” Driscoll stated. “The scariest one I believe was in Fenway Park (in Boston). You took three strides after which dropped right into a half pipe, it was sort of like stepping off a cliff. You hope for one of the best. You simply take it function by function, simply drop in and go for it.”
Driscoll first noticed ice cross on tv a decade in the past. She started researching the game. Lastly she traveled to Quebec to compete in a race in 2018. The following yr she went to Wisconsin to race. That very same yr she raced down the high-flying race course constructed six tales excessive on scaffolding in Fenway Park.
“It was one of many coolest experiences. It was loopy,” Driscoll stated.
The important thing in ice cross, Driscoll stated, is to let your consolation stage dictate your pace. If you must break, then break. The ice is just like the ice in pond hockey – it’s rutted and lined with divots. Observe runs permit racers to seek out the pits and snags. Officers often spray paint the deep ruts blue to assist keep away from wipe outs. Carrying hockey pads and a helmet undoubtedly helps.
“Everybody advised me to search for forward of you not down at what’s in entrance of you. Maintain your toes up greater and look forward. That helped,” Driscoll stated.
The Misplaced Valley race will probably be free for spectators. The opposite ATSX ice cross race in america – in Wisconsin – can also be free to attend.
“We need to pack the place,” Johnstone stated. “I’d like to maintain it there. I like that space.”
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