WAVES, KICKERS, SPLITTERS and banked turns. Gobbledigook, six weeks ago. Today, words that taunt me.
Somehow – because of a love of figure skating (watching, not doing; figure, not speed) – I became embroiled in a The42 and Red Bull Ireland project which will see me hurtle down the track pictured above wearing ice skates.
As part of the inaugural visit of Crashed Ice to Belfast, the Red Bull team decided to teach the unteachable, train the untrained and trust the infallible. They have three journalists – yours truly included – preparing to go down the same course the pros will use for the competition.
It should look something like this:
Meanwhile, me:
Despite protestations from those in The42 that it would be funnier to see us fall down inexpertly, the sports enthusiastic brand has given us some of the best training possible – with former Belfast Giant and Crashed Ice star Graeme Walton.
So, we’re a few weeks in. And here’s what I see when I close my eyes.
Easy, right?
The intense regime brought us to Helsinki for the second stop on the world tour, where we embarrassed ourselves in front of a beautiful fashion model and a number of adroit kids at an outdoor ice rink (you don’t know how attached to barriers you are until they’re taken away).
We’ve managed to master some important elements of skating, such as figure eights and stopping. Stopping is a weirdly exhilarating feeling when you’re on ice skates.
There were also some intense happy feelings as Graeme explained some technical terms which I’ve been familiar with since I fell in love with figure skating as a nine-year-old girl.
Along with this newly-gained knowledge and some tips from Helsinki winner Scott Croxall, we’re better placed for this Friday’s competition.
Maybe. Hopefully. Gobbledigook.
Watch more of my exploits here but let’s leave you with how it should look.
To see the event live at Stormont on 20 and 21 February, get tickets here. You might even get to see me fall over a few times. And I’ll come say hi!
Good luck. Well done. We moved to Canada just over a year ago. I’m like bambi on ice. There is no way on earth I’d even try and sledge down that let alone skate down it.
Thanks Fintan. Just on the road up to Stormont now :-/
How did you get on? Is there any footage of you doing it?
Holy Mother of God.:-)
Have fun and don’t forget the hip flask, ahem for medicinal purposes of course
Fair play Sinead Enjoy and comeback safe!!
Thanks Kerry :) the bosses have insisted I come back, so not skating career for me!
Good luck and enjoy it :)
Cheers Shaun! I’ll enjoy tomo night anyway when it’s done :)