No brakes, 70mph and 5,000 hay bales: Downhill skate champs return to IOM

Skateboarders will reach speeds of more than 70mph (112km/h) when the World Downhill Skateboarding Championship returns to the Isle of Man this weekend.

The boards, with wheels "the size of half a Coke can" and no brakes, will race down a stretch of the island's famous TT course.

More than 5,000 hay bales have been laid out along the course to catch any riders who come a cropper.

Event organiser Selim Kemahli said competitors would go "toe-to-toe and shoulder-to-shoulder" while racing down to the Ramsey hairpin.

This year's course will run from Joey's Corner and finish past the Ramsey Hairpin.

The 3km (two-mile) stretch is said to be much faster than last year's route.

The number of competitors has tripled too, with 60 riders from 17 countries set to thrill the crowds.

Two Manx competitors, Jack Killey and Juan Callister, will take part.

Kemahli said: "Fractions of a second often separate the riders at the finish line."

Kemahli said spectators' enthusiasm at last year's event had led to more investment for this year.

"The riders were just amazed by the reception, I think it's in the DNA of the people here that they love speed," he said.

"I know that they're used to motorbikes travelling at 200mph, but there's a unique adrenaline factor to the downhill event - it's an eye-opener."

The Isle of Man event is one of five around the world in the championships.

Competitors will head to the United States, Brazil and El Salvador later this year.

Footage is streamed around the world and draws in large audiences from countries including Colombia and Malaysia.

When and where:

Street Luge and Skateboarding action: from 10:00, both Saturday, 4 July, and Sunday, 5 July

Festival Village (opposite Ramsey Bus Station):

Friday 3 July: 16:00–22:00

Saturday 4 July: 12:00–22:00

Sunday 5 July: 12:00–22:00

There will be a big screen showing live course action, food and drink stalls, a beer tent, a children's skateboard area, and a media hub.

Road closures on the A18 Mountain Road (Barrule Park, Ramsey to The Bungalow):

Friday 3 July: 18:30 until no later than 23:30 (course set-up)

Saturday 4 July: 09:00 until no later than 23:30 (practice and qualifying)

Sunday 5 July: 09:00 until no later than midnight (racing and course take-down)

Alternative routes between Ramsey and Douglas:

A2 Coast Road between Ramsey and Onchan

A1 and A3 via Kirk Michael and Ballacraine

A14 Tholt-y-Will Road and the A18 Mountain Road between The Bungalow and The Creg Ny Baa

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