Rollerbladers in Town for Major Event FOX News

Rollerbladers in Town for Major Event

Updated: Friday, 26 Feb 2010, 8:17 PM EST
Published : Friday, 26 Feb 2010, 8:17 PM EST

JASON CARR

It's called stunt rollerblading, and one of the biggest events in the world is happening here in metro Detroit this weekend.

Would you believe the world's premiere indoor skate park is right on the border of Madison Heights and Royal Oak?

"We have people from Europe, South Africa, Brazil, Peru, Australia," said owner George Leichtweis.

Leichtweis is once again welcoming the best inline skaters and thousands of spectators for the Tenth Annual Bitter Cold Showdown at Modern Skate Friday and Saturday.

"Aggressive skating taking it to the whole next level of athleticism and guts," Leichtweis said.

Chris Haffey is credited with being the planet's leading rollerblader. We asked him how one becomes the number one rollerbalder in the world. He replied, "You pay someone really well to say that. I'm just kidding. I don't know, just... a lot of time put in, really. I mean, I've been doing it since I was like ten years old."

Chris' most watched video on YouTube has been viewed 1.6 million times. It's called "Longest Rail Grind... Maybe."

Pro skater Nick Wood loves the setup.

"This is a good, good park. Just the whole layout how it's... wall to wall with obstacles. In the middle, it's like you don't lose your speed. You go back and forth. It's got a good viewing area. Like a lot of things coming together to make a great contest," said Wood.

The 80,000 square foot Modern Skate park is at 1500 Stephenson Highway.

SOURCE: http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/entertainment/rollerbladers-in-town-for-major-event