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Rocket sled crashes

World ice-speed record attempt at Snodeo

By Holly Neumann

There was excitement in the air during the 2020 Snodeo Sunday, Feb. 16, as spectators watched anxiously to see if Kurt Anderson, of Orono, Minnesota, would break the world ice-speed record.

Sheri Below got an up-close view of all the preparations that went into the world record attempt as Anderson and his crew were camped in her back yard.

“When I heard it start up the first time, man was it loud,” said Below. “This whole thing is really exciting. Not only for the city of Manawa, but also Bear Lake and Kurt Anderson.”

That excitement quickly turned into disaster, when Anderson took off from the starting line leaving behind him a flume of snow.

The sled eventually turned sideways, before flipping multiple times and landing upside down.

“My gut sunk,” said spectator Andy Erickson. “I saw him coming down the track and then it spun around and went backwards. It looked like he lost complete control. It went over to the side and started to roll.”

“Just seeing it roll was heartbreaking,” said Brenda Connors. “It was hard to watch.”

Both rear skis, one front ski and the tailfin were ripped off during the crash.

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The Arctic Arrow takes off from the starting line as it attempts to break the world ice-speed record at Snodeo on Sunday, Feb. 16. Holly Neumann Photo

Anderson’s crew and emergency personnel rushed to where the vehicle finally came to a stop.

As Anderson emerged from the vehicle, the crowd applauded when seeing that he was OK.

After being examined by the Manawa Ambulance Service Anderson addressed the media.

He said he was sure he would be sore tomorrow.

“My blood pressure is kind of high right now but that is understandable,” he said. “There are no broken bones and I will race another day.”

He stressed the importance of safety.

“Safety, safety, safety, I cannot say that enough,” he said. “Safety is No. 1. This is one thing that I never skimp on. Especially the cockpit. If you have to stop in a hurry you have to protect yourself.”

According to Anderson, the sled did exactly what it was supposed to and protected him.

“I knew I started going sideways,” he said. “As soon as I hit the snow, it started tearing everything away. It’s built to withstand the thrust, and it’s built for things to tear away. Everything tore away like it was supposed to.”

At the time of the crash Anderson estimated that he was going over 240 mph.

“I am sure I did not break the record, but I am fine and that is key,” he said.

He said his spirit is not broken.

“It’s too bad that car is gone,” said Anderson. “We will incorporate everything we learned here today into the next one and charge ahead. I am not done with this.”

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