Behind the scenes of the world’s fastest sport on skates – SB Nation

For many people, skiing is a daunting activity to master … for others, basic ice skating is a skill that eludes them — now imagine a sport which essentially combines the two together.

Over the past five years, Saint Paul, Minnesota has hosted the Ice Cross Downhill World Championship, aka the world’s fastest sport on skates, and this year it drew over 140,000 spectators. You might not be too surprised, once you see the intensity of all the sharp cuts, turns, jumps, and falls, to learn that most of the contestants have lengthy backgrounds in hockey and other extreme sports.

The 2016 Red Bull Crashed Ice Championship featured no shortage of drama with the title coming down to Cameron Naasz (trying to become the first American to win) going up against defending champ, Canadian Scott Croxall. Watch and learn about what it takes to compete in one of the world’s fastest-growing sports … but kids, don’t try this at home!

For fans in the USA, a full length broadcast of the Saint Paul finale airs Saturday, March 5 at 4:30 p.m. E.T./1:30 p.m. P.T. on FOX Sports.