Beton On Fire 2016 in Sigulda (Latvia)
The first stage of the 2016 Beton On Fire was held from 12th of august till the 13th of august in Sigulda (near Riga). Approximately 30 starters competed at this extreme competition where athletes skate down a bobsled run.
Par Alexandre LEBRUN
Beton On Fire
Explanation of the concept
In general the main goal of these competitions is to skate down a bobsled run as fast as possible.
The sponsorship and support are taken over by the skate brand Seba and by the International Downhill Association (IIDA).
Similar competitions have already been held in the past in Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), La Plagne (France), Albstadt (Germany) and Sotchi (Russia).
Bobsled run in Sigulda
The bobsled run in Sigulda was built in 1986. It is 1200m long and it has 16 curves. While the bobsled can reach up to 120km/h, the skaters reach up to 80km/h.
Training, familiarization process of the racetrack and time trial
The training is a progressive training. This means that the athletes begin to walk the bobsled run from the bottom up to internalize the lines.
Skating down a bobsled run requires a special ideal line, focused on the superelevation and the different centrifugal forces.
On top of that you also need high endurance and great stamina, so that you can withstand the pressure in the corners. It is impossible to relax for a second or to brake. Slowing down is only possible by straighten up the body.
After the familiarization process of the racetrack each skater can do four runs. The two best times of each skater count for the competition.
The profile of the riders
This discipline attracts many different profiles of riders:
- The Ice Hockey players like Philipp Auerswald or the Red Bull Crashed Ice champion Kilian Braun
- The Down Hill Skaters Sebastien Rastegar, Nicolas Varin, Cédric Buxin or Florent Cottinet
- Athletes who are specialized in this discipline like Clément Ginier
- Freestyle skaters like Kirill Ryazantsev (aka « Rekil ») or Tiziano Ferrari.
- Allround skater as the German Falko Quinger
This stage was created primarily for skaters, but now also longskaters and downhill bikers can compete.
Also the racing motorbikes have exciting races on the bobsled run, but they drive up the bobsled.
The material
The skaters are equipped with stiff frames on five wheels. They are dressed with leather suits in order to protect them against burns: The surface could in fact be used as an abrasive and it is correspondingly rough to the skin. Moreover, there is a helmet law here.
Result of the competition
In the skate category, the Frenchman Sébastien Rastegar took a nice third place behind the German Falko Quinger. The gold medal was won by the favorite of this race: the Swiss Kilian Braun.
Kilian is a real pro rider. He has already won many Red Bull Crashed Ice competitions – feel free to have a look at his website.
Jean-Yves Blondeau, aka Buggy Rollin, had the fastest time (under a minute) equipped with his « Rollerman » – suit.
The next stage will take place from the 19th till the 21st of august in Russia, Sotchi, on the longest bobsled run in the world!
Final Ranking
Skating
1. Kilian Braun (SUI)
2. Falko Quinger (GER)
3. Sebastien Rastagar (IRN/FRA)
4. K?RLIS ŠVALBE (LAT)
5. Nicolas Varin (FRA)
6. Romain Guiniet (SUI)
7. Adrian Deck (SUI)
8. Kirill Ryazantsev (RUS)
9. Cedric Buxin (FRA)
10. Tiziano Ferrari (ITA)
Longboard
1. GUSTAVS GAIL?TIS (LAT)
2. Piotr Duma (POL)
3. Jakub Braor (POL)
Links
Our about the 2016 Beton on Fire in Sigulda (Latvia)
@Sigulda Beton On Fire
@Mikus Klavins Photography
