-- Ice Cross Downhill World Championship finale joins a year of celebrations in honour of Canada's 150th, seeing the sport's first back-to-back world series victories for Cameron Naasz (USA) and Jacqueline Legere (Canada) --
OTTAWA, March 5, 2017 /CNW/ - The 2016/17 Ice Cross Downhill World Championship came to a riveting close on Saturday night, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and thousands of roaring fans packed Ottawa's downtown core to watch the U.S.' Cameron Naasz and Canada's Jacqueline Legere clinch icy victory. Red Bull Crashed Ice touched down in the nation's capital for the first time ever to join Ottawa 2017, the country's yearlong 150th anniversary celebrations.
"The group of athletes competing at Red Bull Crashed Ice gets infinitely stronger each year, so this win means everything to me," reflects Naasz, "and being part of something as special as Canada's 150th anniversary celebration puts the sport and competition on a global stage."
Built for almost a month straight, Ottawa's Red Bull Crashed Ice course was chock-full of features and complete with a 35-meter vertical drop. It stretched a winding 375-meters long, and was constructed directly on the city's renowned locks system in the historic Rideau Canal. The locks represent a true engineering achievement in Canadian history, which also rings true for the one-of-a-kind design and progressive technology used to build Ottawa's Red Bull Crashed Ice course, which athletes bolted down at speeds of up to 80 km/hr.
FIRST BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONS IN HISTORY
In one of the tightest seasons to date, the 2016/17 grand finale weekend featured a four-way battle for the men's title and a three-way fight for the women's. Ultimately, Cameron Naasz and Jacqueline Legere reigned supreme to both become the first-ever back-to-back world champions.
CANADIAN ATHLETES EXCEL
Canadians continue to excel in the sport of Ice Cross Downhill, consistently holding top podium places throughout the global Red Bull Crashed Ice circuit. Canada's Scott Croxall approached this year's finale weekend in third place globally, with enough points in reach to take the lead position. In a surprise upset, he took second place overall. Canada's long time female favourite, Jacqueline Legere, also entered the weekend narrowly trailing U.S. native, Amanda Trunzo, and powered through to take first place globally.
2016/17 MEN'S FINAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS: 1. Cameron Naasz (3,000 points), 2. Scott Croxall (2,337.5), 3. Maxwell Dunne (2,272.50), 4. Dean Moriarity (2,115), 5. Marco Dallago 2,088.5
2016/17 WOMEN'S FINAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS: 1. Jacqueline Legere (2,450 points), 2. Amanda Trunzo, 2,300, 3. Myriam Trepanier (1,950), 4. Elaine Topolnisky (1,450), 5. Sydney O'Keefe 1,410.
GROWTH IN SPORT OF ICE CROSS DOWNHILL CONTINUES
Concluding its 17th season, the world's fastest sport on skates paves the way for new winter athletes. It has grown in sophistication and participation, with The ATSX Federation (All Terrain Skate Cross / www.atsx.org) acting as the global governing body for the sport, the debut of the Junior World Championship this year, inviting athletes ages 16-20 to compete at each Red Bull Crashed Ice race, and seeing the exciting return of six Riders Cup competitions around the world. The world championship races continue to act as the pinnacle events of all Ice Cross Downhill athlete careers.
ABOUT RED BULL CRASHED ICE
Red Bull Crashed Ice is the Ice Cross Downhill World Championship. Created in 2001 and established as a World Championship in 2010, Red Bull Crashed Ice is now part of the ATSX Ice Cross Downhill World Championship. Athletes from 22 countries and five continents race down artificial or natural man made ice tracks, set up on slopes in the center of major cities or at ski resorts in Europe and North America. The first two racers to cross the finish line advance to the next round as the field is gradually whittled down through one round at a time from 128 to a final 4.
Join the conversation:
Twitter: #RedBullCrashedIce @redbullcanada @CrashedIce
Instagram: #RedBullCrashedIce @redbullcanada @RedBullCrashedIce
Official Website: www.redbullcrashedice.com
Live Stream: www.redbullcrashedice.com | www.redbull.tv
Facebook: www.facebook.com/redbullcrashedice
ABOUT OTTAWA 2017
Throughout 2017, Ottawa will be the focal point for the festivities marking Canada's 150th anniversary. Ottawa 2017 will continue deliver 12 full months of bold events, immersive experiences and all-out celebrations, including Red Bull Crashed Ice, to mark this important milestone. Stay informed on plans for Canada's 150th birthday celebrations in the nation's capital. Visit ottawa2017.ca, or follow @2017ottawa (#Ottawa2017) on Twitter and Facebook.
RED BULL CONTENT POOL
Red Bull Crashed Ice hi-res photo and video content are captured and made immediately available, free for editorial use on the Red Bull Content Pool. Media of all channels including television, film, print, mobile, and digital can access the content at www.redbullcontentpool.com.
RED BULL CRASHED ICE NEWSROOM
The Red Bull Crashed Ice Newsroom allows media partners to view, retrieve, display, and share hi-res photos, recordings and moving images of every Red Bull Crashed Ice stop, completely free of charge. For more news and content including media accreditation, please visit the newsroom at www.redbullcrashedicenewsroom.com.
SOURCE Red Bull Crashed Ice Ottawa 2017
MEDIA CONTACTS: Caroline Dunnet, Edelman, (647) 252-2864, [email protected]; Jeff Lambert (Québec), Edelman, (514) 844-6665, poste 5817, [email protected]
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