Comeback to the Inline Downhill World Cup 2016 in Sotchi (Russia)

Results

Sotchi – the brand new Olympic city

The city of Sotchi has been known since the Olympic Games in 2014 and it is located in the Caucasus, on the border with Georgia. Thanks to the Winter Games, the organization was able to use the existing infrastructure to organize both competitions.
Russia promised a development of infrastructure (tunnels etc.), hotels and sports facilities to the organization of the Olympic Winter Games 2014.

In Rzhanaya Polyana, about 60km from Sotchi, the event will take place in the « Sanki Sliding Center ». Hot summer temperatures are expected in this region and this offers perfect conditions for roller sports.

The Bobsleigh Track

Unlike to other Olympic constructions the Bobsleigh track in Sanki is still used for many different sports events, especially by the Russian national teams.

Therefore Beton On Fire could take advantage of the professional facilities in Sanki.

The Bobsleigh track is equipped with a surveillance tower, 60 cameras and speed measurements. The average speed can be displayed shortly and ensures tension and spectators.

The Bobsleigh track is the longest in the world with its 1814m! The uniqueness of the Bobsleigh track is also reflected in its two ascending curves whereby the physical abilities of the riders are tested by the increased pressure in the corner.

Part One: Downhill on the road in Sotchi

An extreme route

Based on the Bobsleigh track, the organization designed a 1k route which started at the same altitude as the Bobsleigh track and also finished at the same altitude as the Bobsleigh track… but the route is just half as long as the Bobsleigh track.

The downhill route has an average inclination of 13%, the maximum inclination is 25% – which is one of the steepest downhill which was driven in a competition ever!

The skaters

Athletes from France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia attended the competition. The French were considered as favorites.

Practicing

In the first training session, the speed is already very impressive and the brakings too! The best athletes slided around 10m after the first corner.

The first time trials

After two timed runs there was a 100% French podium with Sébastien Rastegar in
01:03,70min in front of Cédricc Buxin 01:05,81min and third-placed Nicolas Varin in 01:06,75min. Kirill Ryazantsev (aka Rekill) who is known in the freestyle scene won a stunning fourth place.

In the women’s race, the German Anna Rebout won with 01:21,90 in front of the Russian Tatiana Spiridonova whom finished the race in 01: 23,14min.

Inline Cross

In Inline Cross the four French favorites Sébastien Rastegar, Cederic Buxin, Nicolas Varin and Flavien Du Peloux fighted for the win. Sébastien Rastegar took the lead right from the start and no one was able to pass him. Therefore he was able to win both competitions. Nicolas Varin took the second place in front of Cédric Buxin and Flavien Du Peloux.

Second part: Beton On Fire

The Skaters

Compared to the Downhill competitions there were some new athletes participating as for example the specialist of this discipline Falko Quinger (Germany), the Russian Iliya Sukhenko and the Frenchmen Kevin Quintin and Patrice Moller.

Training and familiarization with the track

On Friday afternoon the skaters started to get to know the Bobsleigh track on foot. The skaters studied the length of the course, the special parts and technical aspects. Afterwards they put on their skates and leather protective gear and get going on the track.

The last training sessions were completed in the evenings. The very well lighted Bobsleigh track ensured the participants to have a good view even in the dark.

The second day on the Bobsleigh track

On Saturday, the last warm ups and the last qualifying heats took place.
The Russian showed already his light-footedness on this track in the heats.
After the first qualifying rounds the Russian had the best time with 01: 24,23 in front of the Frenchman Sébastien Rastegar (01: 25,80) and Cédric Buxin (01: 28,20).

The best qualifying time of the Russian on video

Day Three: The Finals

The finals were held on Sunday. The line-up was based on the fastest qualifying times.
The slowest qualifying time starts first, so the Russian Ilya Skhenko started last.
Unfortunately he crashed in his run (no serious injuries) and so Nicolas Varin won surprisingly with the time of 01: 24,01min in front of Sébastien Rastegar (01:24,637min) and Cédric Buxin (01:25,093min).

In the second run, almost all participants were able to improve their times from the first run. In this run the German Falko Quinger managed to get the fastest time with 01:23,235min in front of Cédric Buxin (01:23,937min). Sébastien Rastegar got third with a time of 01:24,711min in front of the Russian Iliya Sukhenko (01:25,885min). This time was only good enough for fifth place.

In the women’s race the track was shortened: they started from turn six. The German Anna Rebout could win this stage with a time of 01:01,837 in front of her Russian rival Tatyana Spiridonova.

The Overall win of the stage in Sotchi (Downhill on the road and Beton On Fire) was won by Sébastien Rastegar in front of Nicolas Varin and Falko Quinger.

The stage in Sotchi was the last one of the Beton On Fire racing series. The Overall was won by the German Falko Quinger in front of the two Frenchmen Nicolas Varin and Sébastien Rastegar.

Results of the stage

The organization in Sotchi shined with their professionalism and proved their will to organize such events.
Therefore it must be assumed that such competitions will take place in this huge Olympic city in the coming years.

Useful links

Inline Downhill World Cup IIDA and Bobsleigh Cup 2016 in Sotchi (Russia)

Results of the Beton on Fire 2016 in Sotchi

Articles about the event