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Canada’s Wonderland to unveil world record-breaking roller-coaster in 2019

Click to play video: 'Canada’s Wonderland new roller-coaster built for adrenaline junkies'
Canada’s Wonderland new roller-coaster built for adrenaline junkies
WATCH ABOVE: Canada's Wonderland has unveiled a new world record-breaking roller-coaster titled the Yukon Strike which is set to open for the 2019 season – Aug 15, 2018

Canada’s Wonderland is getting ready to set some world records with the announcement of its new roller-coaster, set to open in the 2019 season.

Under the name “Yukon Striker,” the new coaster will be the longest, fastest and tallest dive roller-coaster in the world.

According to a press release on Wednesday, the ride will be a part of a new area of the park titled “Frontier Canada,” joining the already established rides Lumberjack, Flying Canoes, Mighty Canadian Minebuster, Soaring Timbers, Timberwolf Falls and White Water Canyon.

Yukon Striker will be the country’s first dive coaster and Wonderland’s 17th coaster at the park. Upon its opening, the ride will claim three world records: The fastest dive coaster at 130 kilometres per hour, the longest dive coaster at 3,625 feet and the tallest dive coaster at 245 feet.

“This is the largest capital investment we’ve made in our park since opening,” Wonderland’s general manager Norm Pirtovshek said in the press release. “We’re excited to offer world-class thrills and a truly unique experience for our guests next year.”

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“Yukon Strike will be the centerpiece of our new themed area Frontier Canada, delivering exhilarating and record-breaking coaster elements like no other in the world.”

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LISTEN: Peter Switzer, director of construction and maintenance for Canada’s Wonderland


Jordan May of the American Coaster Enthusiasts told Global News on Wednesday that he is very much looking forward to the new ride.

“Yukon Striker is going to be a huge step forward for Canada,” he said. “It doesn’t something no Canadian roller-coaster has ever done before.”

“Not on the sheer scale of the drop at 245 feet but the fact that it’s actually going to hang you over the edge for that moment of death defying fear before the free fall.”

Grace Peacock, director of communications for the park, said the ride has stadium seating. Each section has three rows of eight seats, with each row being higher than the first so riders can have a good view of the 245 foot drop.

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WATCH: Canada’s Wonderland unveils plans for new roller-coaster. Mark Carcasole reports.

Click to play video: 'Canada’s Wonderland unveils plans for record-breaking coaster in 2019'
Canada’s Wonderland unveils plans for record-breaking coaster in 2019

Peacock also said there is a pause of three seconds right before the drop, which “is going to seem like the longest three second of your life.”

The cars are also floorless and riders will have their legs dangling with nothing but track below them.

Frontier Canada was 37 years in the making, according to the release, which said it was originally planned to be launched upon the park’s opening in 1981.

“The area will represent the rugged Yukon backcountry during the Klondike Gold Rush era of the late 1880s,” the release said.

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WATCH: A preview of the new roller coaster in California, The Railblaze

Click to play video: 'Rollercoaster designer Rob Decker'
Rollercoaster designer Rob Decker

Wonderland also unveiled a new holiday season event, adding Winterfest, which will take place after the park’s popular Halloween Haunt.

Winterfest will launch in 2019 and will run from late November to the end of December. The event will include an “enchanted winter wonderland, complete with uniquely themed areas, dozens of Christmas trees, millions of spectacular lights, ice-skating, live entertainment, savoury treats, crafts and hands-on family activities.”

Season passes for 2019 are on sale now.

With files from Mark Carcasole

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