Sports

Red Bull Crashed Ice 2013: Registration Information, New Course Unveiled

Online registration for the Red Bull Crashed Ice event is open until 11:59pm EST on Nov. 21. On Nov. 23, a random drawing will determine who participates in the qualifiers. The finale event in Saint Paul takes place Jan. 24-26.

The world’s fastest ice cross athletes are coming back to Saint Paul this January to compete in Red Bull Crashed Ice.

The athletes race four-at-a-time through a "demanding, gritty, glacial downhill course full of turns, canals and chutes," all against the backdrop of the iconic Cathedral of Saint Paul.

Red Bull Crashed Ice returns to St. Paul January 24-26, as the second stop on this year’s World Championship tour.

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To qualify for the St. Paul race, eight regional qualifiers will take place across the U.S. including one in St. Paul, on Sunday, Jan. 6.

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A Snapshot a Day in 2012: Crashed Ice

Who: Athletes, from a variety of disciplines including hockey, downhill skiing, speed skating and boarder-cross, will qualify to duke it out down an intimidating track in full ice cross downhill gear. The competitors will race up to 40 mph down steep ice canals with jumps, obstacles and hairpin bends. The first two to cross the finish line, advance to the next round. The best score will be used to identify the best of the best, which will produce the final list of participants for the U.S. finale event in Saint Paul on Jan. 26.

Register for Qualifier: To enter into a lottery for a chance to win a spot for Red Bull Crashed Ice – Saint Paul, athletes must be 18 years old. Online registration is open, and closes at 11:59pm EST on Nov. 21. On Nov. 23, a random drawing will determine who participates in the qualifiers.

Other qualifiers are:

  • Chicago: Dec. 2
  • Boston: Dec. 7
  • St Louis: Dec. 15
  • Dallas: Dec. 28
  • Tampa: Jan. 3
  • Detroit: Jan. 4
  • St. Paul:Jan. 6, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

For more information, go to www.redbullcrashedice.com for exact locations and registration process, as dates and times are subject to change.

Where: Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul

When: Sunday, Jan. 6 Morning session begins at 10 a.m.; evening session begins at 7 p.m.

Where to Stand: Although none of the viewing areas capture the entire track, there will be three large screens projecting the races from every angle. From the starting point, you can see everything up until the bridge. In the middle of the track, you can see the middle portions of the track. Near the bottom of the track, you can see from the middle portion and down. Each portion of the track encompasses it’s own excitement, so choose wisely.

If you went last year and have suggestions for your neighbors, please post them in the comments.

About the Track:

Race organizers and racers alike say the St. Paul track is the most technical course on the Red Bull Crashed Ice circuit. This year, the track will also gain speed. The 2012 track is a custom-built 400m urban ice track with a 40m vertical that will be riddled with a 48m start tower (higher than last year), hairpin turns, big- air jumps, step-ups, drop-offs, obstacles and gaps. During the downhill battle, athletes can reach speeds of more than 40 mph.

Tickets

Red Bull Crashed Ice is free and open to the public. However, The Crash Zone gives the public access to a premier viewing area. Since inside the Crash Zone, there will be food and beverage concessions, a DJ and a clear view of a jumbotron with a live feed of the whole Red Bull Crashed Ice course, tickets cost $10 on Saturday (free on Friday) and can be purchased at the entrance gates.

The Don'ts

Outside food, beverages, chairs and umbrellas cannot be brought into Red Bull Crashed Ice. Food and concessions will be sold and may be purchased in the Crash Zone, in the field across the street from the Cathedral and at the Finish Corral at the bottom of the course.

Parking: 

There is no available public parking at Red Bull Crashed Ice. There is parking available at one of the many shuttle locations. There are shuttle buses running through various parts of the city, which will stop at 12th and John Ireland Blvd, at Martin Luther King and Cedar Ave, at Sherburne and Park St, at John Ireland Blvd in front of Dept. of Transportation bldg., and at John Ireland Blvd and Marshall. Check back as the event gets closer, we'll take care of you.

Is there a Dress Code?

It's Minnesota, in mid-January.


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