Mild weather draws thousands to Red Bull Crashed Ice

Thousands of people crowded Cathedral Hill in St. Paul for Red Bull Crashed Ice for the seventh year in a row. 

Saturday’s event in St. Paul was the opener for the Red Bull Crashed Ice season. Fans gathered to watch skaters drop 12 stories as they crashed down the course in just seconds. 

A highlight for this year's fans was the heat wave. Temperatures were relatively warm compared to frigid temperatures many have braved in years past. 

Organizers sold tickets for premium viewing spots along the course, but that didn’t stop fans from making their way to see the action close up. 

Fox 9 spoke with the families of some of the local athletes competing who enjoy having the event so close to home. 

“It’s really fun to have it here,” said Ann Dunne, competitor Max Dunne’s mother. “It’s a little more nerve-wracking when it’s in your hometown because so many people that they know are coming here to watch.” 

The event brought together some of the toughest skaters in the world. 

“It was awesome, we were the first heat so the ice is as good as it is all weekend,” said Red Bull Crashed Ice athlete Eli Krieter. 

There was some chatter about the future of Crashed Ice in St. Paul, but fans and athletes alike took Saturday night one heat at a time.