LETHBRIDGE – Crashed Ice is one of the ultimate adventure sports. Four skaters start at the top of a 415 metre icy slope and battle their way through a series of twists, turns and jumps to the finish line.
Coaldale’s Colby Stone was hooked from the first time he saw it. ” I watched it on TV for a while there and always thought it would be really cool to do.”
So when qualification races for the World Championships came to Calgary, Stone jumped at the chance. Needing to be in the top 15 out of 75 skaters who took a turn at an obstacle course on a hockey rink, Stone scorched his way to 13th place.
“It was unbelievable,” he says. “I personally didn’t believe it. I had to look at the list a couple times to actually truly believe that was my name on there.”
Now, the 19-year-old Stone is off to compete against the world’s best this week in Edmonton. Currently a minor hockey coach, Stone is just two seasons removed from his own minor hockey career. There are no Crashed Ice tracks to practice on, so Stone is getting ready for the event by working out at the gym and watching plenty of video of past races.
“The biggest thing I think is getting a quick start. The first 50 feet, not even, depending how the track is laid out,” Stone figures. “And if you get out in front, try not to fall.”
The falls are part of the sport. “I’ve crashed into some boards pretty hard, but don’t think I’ve hit any boards that hard before as fast as those guys are going,” he says.
But the risks are worth the reward of fulfilling a dream.
“Just the qualifier was an amazing experience, they treat you well there,” he says. “And I’ve heard nothing but great stuff from the main event, so hopefully it works out to be great.”
Red Bull Crashed Ice runs from March 12-14 in Edmonton’s river valley.
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