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Saint Paul
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Cathedral to again welcome Crashed Ice crowds

Red Bull Content Pool

Red Bull’s Crashed Ice World Championship competition is returning in January to St. Paul, and the Cathedral of St. Paul — which served as a spectacular nighttime backdrop for last year’s races — is looking forward to welcoming the skaters and thousands of spectators back to the Cathedral Hill neighborhood.

“To say it put a ‘spotlight’ on our beautiful Cathedral is an understatement,” the Cathedral said in a statement. “We were warmed by the site of so many people of all ages visiting the inside of the Cathedral during Crashed Ice last year, and we invite everyone to do so again.”

This year’s competition, which resembles downhill skiing on ice skates, features a 1,300-foot-long winding ice track and a starting ramp near the Cathedral that will be 48 feet above ground — 12 feet higher than last year, according to race officials.

The church’s doors will be open throughout the three-day event and spectators are encouraged to “pay a visit, take in the quiet splendor, light a candle and say a prayer for the athletes,” the Cathedral said.

No Masses will be cancelled during the track’s construction or the competition.

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“Access to the Cathedral and parking around it might be challenging at times but, as the track construction begins, we will keep the Cathedral website up-do-date with traffic and parking information,” it said.

Watch for updates on the Cathedral’s website.

The Cathedral Heritage Foundation restoration committee is developing plans for additional hospitality efforts that would benefit Cathedral restoration efforts, said spokesperson Carolyn Will.

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Shuttle buses to event

This year’s track will cross Dayton Avenue in front of the Cathedral and then Summit Avenue, before twisting its way down the hill to the finish line.

There will be no public parking at the event, but shuttle buses will run from several area locations on race days, according to Red Bull. Portions of John Ireland Boulevard and Summit Avenue will be closed. City bus routes 21 and 65 will be partially detoured.

Last year’s competition drew about 80,000 spectators, according to Red Bull officials, and the event generated about $20 million in economic activity for the city, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman said at a Nov. 14 press conference.

Crashed Ice is free and open to the public. Other cities hosting upcoming Crashed Ice competitions are Niagara Falls, Canada; Landgraaf, Netherlands; Lausanne, Switzerland; and Quebec, Canada.

 


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