Forty nine competitors from seven countries took part in the Scottish qualifier of the Red Bull Crashed Ice yesterday (Friday 13 December) at Murrayfield Ice Arena, Edinburgh – the first time the qualifier has been held in Scotland.
Crowds of onlookers watched the action unfold over 5 rounds and 16 heats culminating in a spectacular victory that saw Callum Boyd skate to victory.
20-year-old Refrigeration Engineer, Callum from Ayr, battled it out in an all Scottish final to an exhilarating photo finish with amateur Paisley Pirate hockey player, Graham McCamley from Glasgow.
Callum, who plays for Kilmarnock Storm in the Scottish National League and has been skating since he was 4, said: “I first saw Red Bull Crashed Ice advertised on YouTube and thought it would be really cool to enter. I play for Kilmarnock Storm so know a few of the guys here today, the atmosphere has been brilliant and we’ve all had a really good laugh.”
Delighted Callum added: “I did not expect to win today so am thrilled as the competition was really stiff and there were a few professional hockey players. I am really hoping this is a launch pad to bigger and better things, but first I am going to go out an celebrate with my mates in Ayr!”
Now in its twelfth year, this is the first time the Red Bull Crashed Ice qualifier has been held in Scotland, the last time a qualifier came to the UK was in 2007. The event kicked off at 12 midday with an individual time trial that saw the oldest competitor Tony Boynton (52) from Redcar, England skate round, over and under a series of obstacles against 48 other competitors including 16 year old Haydn Bain from Irvine, Scotland.
The top three skaters on the day will be entered into the World Cup Crashed Ice Qualifier in Canada next March.
1. Callum Boyd, Ayr
2. Graham McCamley, Glasgow
3. Haydn Bain, Irvine
4. Liam Brady, Bellshill
For further information, to watch footage from the event and for a full list of competitors please visit: www.redbull.co.uk/crashedice
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
