Gravity and acceleration combine to leave few runners on their feet, leading to epic wipeouts at one of Britain’s zaniest sports contests.
BROCKWORTH, Gloucester — A YouTuber from Germany won for the second consecutive year at one of Britain’s most eccentric sporting events, facing falls and tumbles along the way.
Tom Kopke from Munich emerged victorious at the Cooper’s Hill cheese rolling competition, which involves participants racing down a 200-yard (180-meter) sharply inclined slope, chasing after a rapidly rolling wheel of Double Gloucester cheese. Kopke was the first to make it to the bottom, following closely behind the cheese.
“Everyone at the top said they would take my title, but it’s mine,” exclaimed a bare-chested Kopke, clutching his reward — a 7-pound (3-kilogram) wheel of cheese. “I risked my life for this. It’s my cheese. Back-to-back win.”
The contest, traditionally held on the late-May public holiday near Gloucester, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) west of London, dates back at least two centuries, maybe longer. It’s attended by thousands, who pack the woods flanking the hill or take cover behind fences at the bottom, as competitors from around the world risk serious injury in the hope of glory.
Gravity and acceleration combine to leave few runners on their feet, leading to epic wipeouts that can result in twisted ankles, broken collarbones and concussions.
Ava Sender Logan, from London, won the women’s race after somersaulting and rolling at least a dozen times as she clutched her head.
“I will probably feel it tomorrow,” she said. “It felt quite long coming down and then I hit my head. I’m down, that’s what matters. I’m fine.”
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