Latest news with #downhillskateboarding
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Island hosts 'ultimate' skateboarding contest
About 30 "fearless competitors" from around the world are set to take on the extreme sport of downhill skateboarding on a Manx road for the first time. The third round of the 2025 World Downhill Skateboarding Championship will see participants compete on a 0.8 mile (1.3km) course on the A14 Tholt-y-Will Road near Sulby Reservoir. Advertisement Riders reach speeds of up to 80mph (129km/h) in the series, which has seen rounds held in Austria and Turkey, with events in the USA and El Salvador still to come. Promoter Selim Kemahli said bringing the contest to the home of the TT races from 4 to 6 July was "very exciting" as the island was "synonymous with speed and adrenaline". The Manx route has an average incline of 8.5% but reaches 22% at its steepest. The course starts at a cattle grid and features a fast straight with two hairpin turns shortly before the finish. The skateboarding category sees racers donned in leather suits, crash helmets, gloves take to the course standing on their boards. Advertisement The luge contest sees riders lie on their backs on the boards, using their feet to steer and brake. Qualifying runs for the two leagues of competition will take place on Friday and Saturday, with racing planned for Sunday. Mr Kemahli confirmed the "ultimate" contest for the sport was governed by a strict set of rules, with a raft of safety measures, kit inspections and insurance requirements. He encouraged Manx residents to turn out and watch along the course as "we know that the island has a culture of spectating on crazy stuff". Spectating at the event was "like watching the TT without the engines", he said. Advertisement "This year we're dipping our toes, if its a success we hope to come back year after year using the Gooseneck section of the Mountain Course down into Ramsey," he added. A section of the A14, from next to the Sulby Reservoir to the Tholt y Will Glen, will be closed between 09:00 BST and 18:30 daily for the event. Organisers expect the road will be opened for brief periods throughout the duration. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. More on this story Related internet links
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Isle of Man hosts 'ultimate' downhill skateboarding contest
About 30 "fearless competitors" from around the world are set to take on the extreme sport of downhill skateboarding on a Manx road for the first third round of the 2025 World Downhill Skateboarding Championship will see participants compete on a 0.8 mile (1.3km) course on the A14 Tholt-y-Will Road near Sulby reach speeds of up to 80mph (129km/h) in the series, which has seen rounds held in Austria and Turkey, with events in the USA and El Salvador still to Selim Kemahli said bringing the contest to the home of the TT races from 4 to 6 July was "very exciting" as the island was "synonymous with speed and adrenaline". The Manx route has an average incline of 8.5% but reaches 22% at its course starts at a cattle grid and features a fast straight with two hairpin turns shortly before the skateboarding category sees racers donned in leather suits, crash helmets, gloves take to the course standing on their luge contest sees riders lie on their backs on the boards, using their feet to steer and brake. Qualifying runs for the two leagues of competition will take place on Friday and Saturday, with racing planned for Kemahli confirmed the "ultimate" contest for the sport was governed by a strict set of rules, with a raft of safety measures, kit inspections and insurance encouraged Manx residents to turn out and watch along the course as "we know that the island has a culture of spectating on crazy stuff".Spectating at the event was "like watching the TT without the engines", he said."This year we're dipping our toes, if its a success we hope to come back year after year using the Gooseneck section of the Mountain Course down into Ramsey," he added.A section of the A14, from next to the Sulby Reservoir to the Tholt y Will Glen, will be closed between 09:00 BST and 18:30 daily for the event. Organisers expect the road will be opened for brief periods throughout the duration. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Doncaster downhill skateboarder eyes world championship glory
A man who only took up downhill skateboarding two years ago has said he would give it his "best shot" after being selected to compete in the extreme sport's world Spencer, from Doncaster, said he aimed to tackle the slopes of Erzincan, Turkey, in the World Downhill Skateboarding Championship at the Spencer said the route, which covered 1.9 miles (3km), with an average incline of 12.5%, would take just over two minutes to complete."I'm just a normal guy from Doncaster. I work in a car dealership, just lead a normal life - but I like to go fast on hills," he explained. Mr Spencer said he had been a skateboarder for nearly all his life, but he had only discovered downhill skateboarding while looking on social media two years said that after finding out more, he thought: "I fancy a crack at that." Mr Spencer said he now trained in the gym after work every day and practised most weekends in the Peak said he reached speeds of up to 77mph (124km/h) riding down hills on his skateboard, without any means of braking."It's such a buzz, it makes you feel alive," he said."It's the walk back up that finishes you off."Mr Spencer added that he thought "life is too short" to be scared of trying such ready for the world championships in just a few days time, he said: "I would love to be stood on the podium."However, he said he would remain realistic about his chances."There are some real fast guys, so I'll just go and give it my best shot." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, or catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
