For the third consecutive year, a German YouTuber has won the famous cheese-rolling competition held in Gloucestershire.
Daredevils throw themselves 180 meters down the highest hill in the county while chasing an 8-pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese at the annual Spring Bank Holiday event, which takes place on Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth.
Chris Anderson, a 38-year-old Guinness World Record holder, was persuaded to come out of his cheese-rolling retirement by Tom Kopke, a 24-year-old recent double champion, who challenged him to compete in this year’s competition.
The inaugural men’s downhill race was competitive until the very end, when Mr. Kopke passed the seasoned veteran right before the finish line to win for the third consecutive year.The YouTuber instantly remarked, “This year’s cheese will taste the sweetest of all the cheeses I have won.”
After being crowned the winner, the German YouTuber, who has 469K subscribers and shares videos of his other thrilling antics, was embraced by his opponent at the bottom.
“I don’t know how it went, but I gave it everything,” Mr. Kopke remarked. “I think this was my best year ever and I tried to stay on my feet for as long as possible.” All you have to do is give it your all; the best man wins. It’s everyone’s race.
Tom Kopke, a 24-year-old German YouTuber, holds his wheel of cheese after defeating Chris Anderson, the holder of the Guinness World Record, and taking first place in the first men’s downhill race for the third consecutive year.
Daredevils throw themselves 180 meters down the highest hill in the county while chasing an 8-pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese during the annual Spring Bank Holiday event, which takes place on Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth.
Chris Anderson, the holder of the Guinness World Record, was persuaded to come out of his cheese-rolling retirement by Mr. Kopke, a recent double champion, who challenged him to compete in this year’s race.
After 15,000 people attended the 2009 competition, health and safety concerns forced the official competition to be canceled in 2010. Since then, rebel cheese rollers have been holding their own unofficial event. “The hill was better than last year because the hill was really dry, but this year it was the optimal conditions—not too dry and a bit soft so the falls got cushioned.” “I think I got a good recovery on the middle of the hill and then sprint the rest.” “This year’s cheese will taste the sweetest of all the cheeses I have won.”
When asked how he gets ready, he responded, “Shut off your brain and go for it.” Chris was ahead of me the entire race, and I had to get him.
Between 2005 and 2022, Mr. Anderson of Brockworth won twenty-three times.
Despite the intense heat, French competitor Alis Heugas won the women’s race while sporting a fluffy onesie.
In the meantime, the second men’s race was won by Niels Wennemars of the Netherlands.
Both participants and onlookers had to deal with searing conditions and temperatures that reached around 30C in Gloucestershire during what forecasts predicted could be the warmest spring bank holiday on record.
The track had been softened by the intense spring rain, but the recent heat wave made it firmer and more hazardous for the racers, who run the risk of getting hurt in the chaotic tumble down the 1:2 grade hill.
The worst was Canadian Delaney Irving, who finished the 2023 race unconscious after banging her head and didn’t know she had won until she woke up in the medical tent. There are typically a number of injuries each year.
Since the official tournament was canceled in 2010 due to health and safety concerns after 15,000 people attended the 2009 competition, rebel cheese rollers have started holding their own unofficial event.
Despite the intense heat, French competitor Alis Heugas won the women’s race while sporting a fluffy onesie.
The second men’s race was won by Niels Wennemars of the Netherlands.
At Cooper’s Hill’s annual cheese rolling, Mr. Kopke celebrates winning the first men’s downhill race.
After being proclaimed the winner, the German, who had won the crown the year before, was hugged by his opponent at the bottom.
The track had been softened by the intense spring rain, but the recent heat wave made it firmer and more hazardous for the racers, who run the risk of getting hurt in the chaotic tumble down the 1:2 grade hill.
During the pursuit, Mr. Kopke seemed to have suffered some minor hip injuries.
As racers raced down the hill in the sweltering heat, spectators gathered on the sidelines. “This year’s cheese will taste the sweetest of all the cheeses I have won,” the YouTuber stated as soon as he won.
When asked how he gets ready, Mr. Kopke responded, “Shut off your brain and go for it.” Chris was ahead of me the entire race, and I had to get him.
An unofficial version of the race has been held ever since Mr. Anderson was photographed following his victory at the last official race in 2009, which was canceled the following year.
Since then, it has been conducted informally, with roads up to two and a half miles around the slope closed and police keeping a tight watch.
The fake lightweight foam cheese was swapped out for the real thing after a year when police issued a warning against using a real cheese.
The wheels for this year’s event were once again donated by veteran cheese maker Rod Smart, who has been making cheese for the pursuit for over 25 years.
Three smaller cheeses, each weighing about 1.5 kg, and four larger cheeses, each weighing about 3 kg, are utilized.
It is believed to have originated from a heathen festival to commemorate the coming of spring. The odd occasion has been celebrated for generations, with the earliest known documented record dating back to 1836.
The series of crazy races drew international TV crews, and some contestants traveled from all over the world to compete.
