Emil Furcht, who's played soccer with FC Korsholm in Finland, returned to his native St. Paul to risk his life last week in the Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship. We decided to ask him why anyone would want to venture into such a competition in which ice skaters go hurtling down a 1,300-foot course of sharp twists and drops.
Unfortunately, casualties mounted quickly as skaters began training Thursday, and Furcht was among those who got injured on the course outside of the Cathedral of St. Paul. The speed demons were vying for four spots on Team USA, which will train to compete against three other countries at the world event in Quebec City in March.
Earlier in the week, I talked to the Chisago Lakes High grad and alum of Roseville's Northwestern College about this emerging extreme sport.
Q Explain this extreme sport.
A I'm fairly new to it. It's kind of a snowboard cross with skates. You go down a set track and hope to get to the finish line first.
Q Looks like you need to be nuts to do this?
A I certainly think there's an advantage to being a little crazy. But hopefully you stay safe.
Q What about the physical risk associated with this sport?