Biggest Extreme Sports Events around the world
Adventure lovers know that the desire to feel adrenaline is practically an addiction. Pushing our lives to the limit with extreme sports and activities has become a fundamental part of the adventurer's daily life.
That is why those who practice extreme sports enjoy the most extreme moments to the fullest, especially when they participate in competitions in which they can put their skills into practice and demonstrate their talent, regardless of the possible dangers along the way.
In fact, there are so many people who practice or are fond of these sports that big events are organised year after year. Here are some of the most famous or extreme ones.
1.- Badwater Ultramarathon:
“The World’s Toughest Foot Race” Covering 135 miles (217km) non-stop from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, CA, the Badwater 135 is the most demanding and extreme running race offered anywhere on the planet, as well as the 135-Mile World Championship. The start line is at Badwater Basin, Death Valley, which marks the lowest elevation in North America at 280’ (85m) below sea level. The race finishes at Whitney Portal at 8,300’ (2530m), which is the trailhead to the Mt. Whitney summit, the highest point in the contiguous United States. The Badwater 135 course covers three mountain ranges for a total of 14,600’ (4450m) of cumulative vertical ascent and 6,100’ (1859m) of cumulative descent. In the last few years, about 90 people have competed in each race, with 20% to 40% failing to reach the finish line. There has never been a fatality in the race as incredible as it may sound.
2.- Dakar Rally:
Originally comprised between Paris and Dakar, the Dakar Rally is a Rally Raid. Which is like a normal Rally race but the route between the start and the finish is not marked by a road or a route. But to make things not so simple, there are mandatory waypoints in the middle. If the competitor skips one of these points, he is penalised. And to make it even more difficult, you know how many points there are, but you don't know where they are. It is the GPS itself who indicates the direction when passing near.
Cars, motorbikes, quads and even trucks participate with professional and amateur drivers in this race which takes part in the desert and has an average duration of 12 days (one rest day), more than 7,800 kilometres of travel through sand, mud, water and temperatures above 40 degrees.
3.- Red Bull Cliff Diving
Almost 30 meters from the water and 85 km/h of top speed and just 3 seconds to perform the most backflips, front-flips and twists the athletes can. Always remembering to hit the water in a safe way in order to not get seriously injured. The Red Bull Cliff Diving is the most extreme water jumping competition in the world, where 20 athletes compete for the highest score.
4.- 24 hours of Le Mans
The 24 hours of Le Mans is an endurance-focused sports car race held annually near the town of Le Mans, France. It is the world's oldest active endurance racing event. Unlike fixed-distance races whose winner is determined by minimum time, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is won by the car that covers the greatest distance in 24 hours. Racing teams must balance the demands of speed with the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without mechanical failure. In teams of 3 drivers and with different categories (LMP1, LMP2, GT1, GT2 and GT3), different manufacturers try to win this race famous all over the world for the reputation and publicity it brings to the winning brand. Modern competitors often cover well over 5.000 kilometres, the actual record is set at 5.410 kilometres, achieved in 2010 by Romain Dumas, Timo Bernhard and Mike Rockenfeller.
5.- The X Games
Finally, the union of all the unible extreme sports in one event. The X Games is a tournament where thousands of athletes try not only to win but to perform the most spectacular show possible and also show new tricks never done before. The games include modalities such as skateboarding, BMX, XRally, motocross, climbing, speed skateboarding, surf, among others. But that's only the summer ones, there are also the Winter X Games, where the most extreme winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, ice climbing, ski big air, snowmobiles and even the super Modified Snow Shovel Racing.
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ResponEliminaReally interesting article I really enjoyed reading it. I have actually attended the X Games in Shanghai ten years ago and it was an unbelievable experience I really recommend it, it is one of those things that you never forget more show than that you will not find any where else.
ResponEliminaIt's nice to read about sports which are not the most famous. This kinds of sports aren't called 'extreme' for no reason. it's extremely difficult what these athletes perform every time they take the stage. Nothing but respect to all these athletes. They don't do it for fame or money, they do it for the thrill of it. interesting topic!
ResponEliminaA very interesting article to read! They are sports that I had already heard of, but had never delved further into. The part about the 24 Hours of Le Mans has certainly taught me something. Although I know Formula 1 is also a team sport with the pit stop and the effort of the mechanics, this extreme sport takes it to another level with 3 drivers alternating together. although I already thought Formula 1 was an extreme sport, this is just a little more extreme.
ResponEliminaI have always wanted to see an extreme sport competition in person. I cannot imagine the adrenaline they must get from these sports. I have heard of some of those and for those athletes who compete in these events I feel a huge amount of respect. They must have such high precision and responsibility, which I do not know if I would be able to.
ResponEliminaVery interesting article. I have never seen a Dakar race, but I saw another similar extrem sport named as motocross races with obstacles and it was an amazing experience and impressive to see the riders with that level of adrenaline. This athletes are "playing" with their own lives doing these types of sports and it makes me feel like worrying for them while racing.
ResponEliminaThanks, I really like this article. These dangerous sports are fascinating. Not only are people willing to put their lives at risk, we appreciate seeing these people take such risks. Is what we like is just the spectacular aspect or seeing men and women risking their lives? I think back to the 1970s when Formula 1 drivers had 20% die per year. This moment was the golden age of Formula 1. Do these shows fascinate us because these people take risks that we would never take? Is it a sport catharsis?
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ResponEliminaThanks for making this article because I found it really interesting. I am not really into Xtreme sports but I believe they are very attractive because they do very risky things that many people would not do even if they got paid. Especially Cliff diving, that Xtreme sport is insane. It is crazy to think that one bad jump can ruin your whole life or even kill you. I admire Xtreme athletes because they have to be mentally really strong.
ResponEliminaThanks to these type of articles i know more about Xtreme sports and i believe that maybe one day i can try to practice one of them, because the risk and adrenalie are very atractive to me.
ResponEliminaI used to jump from high climbs when i go to the beach so maybe this would be one of the top tiers that i would prefer to try, with very strong mentally.
Very good article and well written.
ResponEliminaIn my case, the extreme sport that has fascinated me the most has been Red Bull Cliff Diving, it is incredible how they manage to achieve stunts with such precision and risk!
(oriol carreras)
Nice article! My respects for all the people that had participate in such events. I think you have to be very brave and have a lot of capacities to practice extreme sports. And when I say my respects is literally, I could never practice a sport like this neither attend one of the events you mention in this article. I just picture myself in the Red Bull Cliff Diving and I felt sick, if I were there I think I´d have to close my eyes every time a person dives.
ResponElimina