3 min read

Racers fly down the course Sunday during the ATSX 250 Ice Cross Downhill at Lost Valley in Auburn. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Ice cross is similar to ski cross – the Olympic sport in which ski racers compete head-to-head down a steep hill while maneuvering twists, banked turns, jumps and drops. In this case, ice cross racers wear skates to navigate an ice-covered ski trail. Picture speed skaters padded in hockey gear racing down a steep sheet of ice, with four of them at once vying for the finish line. And, yes, sometimes they wipe out.

RELATED: View dozens more photos from the event

 

Racers fly down the course Sunday during the ATSX 250 Ice Cross Downhill at Lost Valley in Auburn. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Racers leave the starting area Sunday during the ATSX 250 Ice Cross Downhill at Lost Valley in Auburn. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Robin Worling, right, leaps across the finish line over the final berm Sunday during the ATSX 250 Ice Cross Downhill at Lost Valley in Auburn on his way to winning the men’s division. To his left: Steven Cox, who finished second. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Steven Cox is showered with snow and given a cold beer Sunday after finishing second in the men’s division at the ATSX 250 Ice Cross Downhill at Lost Valley in Auburn. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Justine Zonne leads the pack in the final stretch Sunday on her way to winning the women’s division during the ATSX 250 Ice Cross Downhill at Lost Valley in Auburn. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Photographers scramble out of the way Sunday as a racer crashes through a safety fence during the ATSX 250 Ice Cross Downhill at Lost Valley in Auburn. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Racers crest one of many jumps Sunday during the ATSX 250 Ice Cross Downhill at Lost Valley in Auburn. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Matt Johnson, left and Jack Schram fly over a headwall Sunday on the ice covered course during the ATSX 250 Ice Cross Downhill at Lost Valley in Auburn. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Matt Johnson, left and Jack Schram fly over a headwall Sunday on the ice-covered course during the ATSX 250 Ice Cross Downhill at Lost Valley in Auburn. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Racers lose control Sunday as they crest a headwall during the ATSX 250 Ice Cross Downhill at Lost Valley in Auburn. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Jordan Sewczak, front, loses control as she flies over a headwall Sunday on the downhill course during the ATSX 250 Ice Cross Downhill at Lost Valley in Auburn. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Racers leave the starting gate Sunday during the ATSX 250 Ice Cross Downhill at Lost Valley in Auburn. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Kale Johnstone takes off his skate Sunday at the starting line during the ATSX 250 Ice Cross Downhill at Lost Valley in Auburn. Johnstone and other racers and crew members created the course. Johnstone planned to race, but hurt his ankle during Thursday’s training run. He managed to hobble to the starting line Sunday so he could start a race and get a few points for the overall standings. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Jack Schram gets pumped up Sunday at the starting line during Sunday’s ATSX 250 Ice Cross Downhill at Lost Valley in Auburn. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Lee Horton is the Varsity Maine Editor for the Maine Trust for Local News. He joined the Sun Journal as assistant sports editor in July 2016, then served as sports editor from May 2018 to May 2024. Prior...

Comments are no longer available on this story