Roar of engines and ice chips: Vladivostok hosts winter speedway — photos

On Sunday, the Avangard Stadium was noisy, as athletes prepared their two-wheeled steeds for the race, deciding that ice and sub-zero temperatures are no hindrance to riding «with the wind.» This is the second ice speedway in Vladivostok, revived after a long 40-year break.

The huge spikes on the motorcycle tires turned the stadium ice into fine ice chips, blocking the view for everyone behind the winner. Watching this was both interesting and scary. And there was no shortage of spectators — with the start of the race, the stands quickly filled up, people brought tea and blankets to keep warm. The weather did not show mercy this time either, with the air temperature holding at minus fifteen degrees Celsius (5°F).

We visited the very edge of the ice field to capture how those who practically lie down on the ice to fly faster move.