Daredevils defy weather for annual chaotic cheese rolling contests

[uk666]

Daredevils defy weather for annual chaotic cheese rolling contests

Daredevils have thrown themselves down a steep hill in the annual death-defying cheese rolling race in Gloucestershire, England.

Brave competitors sprinted, tripped and tumbled down Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth to try and win the 8lb double Gloucester.

The recent wet weather had made the racetrack soft, slippery and very muddy for the competitors who were cheered on by thousands of spectators.

The winner of the first men’s downhill race was German Tom Kopke, 22, from Munich.

“I am absolutely buzzing; it was an amazing experience. The unfortunate thing is I can’t really remember anything about it,” Mr Kopke, who runs his own YouTube channel, said.

“I just started and went for the bottom, and that was it. Everyone said rolling is the best strategy but I just football slid downhill, just sliding, and get back on your feet as quickly as possible.

“I promised my grandma I am going to give it to her, so she is going to get the cheese.”

Rebel cheese rollers have been staging their own unofficial event after health and safety fears caused the official competition to be cancelled in 2010.

After a year’s hiatus, when police warned against the use of a real cheese, the imitation lightweight foam cheese was replaced with the genuine article.

Long-time cheese-maker Rod Smart, who have produced cheese for the chase for more than 25 years, once again provided the wheels for this year’s event.

The unusual event has been celebrated for centuries and is thought to have its roots in a heathen festival to celebrate the return of spring.

The official event was cancelled after more than 15,000 people turned up as spectators to watch the 2009 competition.