German YouTuber pips local to win Cotswolds cheese-rolling contest

Recent double champion Tom Kopke, 24, pipped Guinness World Record holder Chris Anderson close to the finish line in Gloucestershire today (Monday, May 25).

After chasing an 8lb double Gloucester cheese down Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth, he declared: “This year’s cheese will taste the sweetest of all the cheeses I have won.”

Both men risked broken bones and serious injury, as they joined about two dozen daredevils to throw themselves down a steep hill in the annual death-defying cheese-rolling race in Gloucestershire.

Brave competitors sprinted, tripped and tumbled down Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth to try to win the double Gloucester.

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Participants take part in the first men’s downhill race during the annual cheese rolling at Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire. (Image: Jacob King / PA)

The heavy spring rain had softened the track, but the recent hot weather had made it firmer and more dangerous for the competitors who were cheered on by thousands of spectators.

With temperatures soaring during what forecasters said could become the hottest spring bank holiday on record, competitors and spectators alike also had to contend with sweltering conditions and the mercury hitting nearly 30C in Gloucestershire.

There was an extra competitive edge to this year’s races as Guinness World Record holder Chris Anderson, 38, came out of retirement after being challenged by YouTuber and recent double champion Tom Kopke, 24.

Mr Kopke, from Munich, came out on top after pipping Mr Anderson close to the finish line in the first men’s downhill race.

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Niels Wennemars, 21, winner of the second men’s downhill race during the annual cheese rolling at Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire. (Image: Jacob King / PA)

The German, who retained the title he has won the previous two years, was embraced by his rival at the bottom after being declared the winner.

“This was, I think, my best year ever and I tried to stay on my feet for as long as possible,” Mr Kopke said.

“I don’t know how it went, but I gave everything. It’s everyone’s race, and you have just got to give your best and the best man wins.

“The hill was better than last year as the hill was really dry, but this year it was the optimal conditions – not too dry and a bit soft so the falls got cushioned.

“I think I got a good recovery on the middle of the hill and then sprinted the rest.

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Otto Linkogle, 19, winner of the third men’s downhill race during the annual cheese rolling at Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire. (Image: Jacob King / PA)

“This year’s cheese will taste the sweetest of all the cheeses I have won.”

Asked how he prepares, he said: “Shut off your brain and go for it. The entire race I saw Chris in front of me, and I had to get him.”

Mr Anderson, from Brockworth, has won 23 times between 2005 and 2022.

The Anderson family look set to produce another generation of champions, with younger members following in their footsteps by winning the children’s uphill races.

Mr Anderson’s 11-year-old son Will won the younger race, while cousin Xander Anderson, 16, won the teenager’s race.

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Alix Heugas, winner of the women’s downhill race during the annual cheese rolling at Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire. (Image: Jacob King / PA)

The second men’s downhill race was won by Niels Wennemars, 21, from the Netherlands, who was following in the family tradition of sporting excellence – as his father, Erben, and brother, Joep, are both world champion speed skaters.

“It was so fun, if you can stand and stay on your feet you will win,” Mr Wennemars said afterwards.

“I grabbed the cheese because I was standing and all the people around me were falling.

“If you can stay to the end, and then at the end you can let yourself fall because the guys will catch you at the bottom.”

Holding the cheese, he added: “This belongs to the Netherlands. This was fun; all the people watching here, they need to do it.

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23-time champion and Guinness World Record winner Chris Anderson, with his 11-year-old son William, who won the first children’s uphill race during the annual cheese rolling at Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire. (Image: Jacob King / PA)

“If you live scared, you are going to die scared, and that is the worst way to live.”

The women’s downhill race was won by Alix Heugas, 27, from the Basque region of France.

Speaking afterwards, she said: “It was great, I had no technique, no training, just wing it.

“Do not be afraid, you are going to get hit, but it is okay, you will not break a bone – just go for it.

“I have wanted to do it for years, and when I knew I was coming to live in England for three months I was definitely signing up for this.

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Tom Kopke, 24, winner of the first men’s downhill race during the annual cheese rolling at Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire. (Image: Jacob King / PA)

“I’m going to eat the cheese with friends and family.”

The final race of the day was won by American teenager Otto Linkogle, from Florida.

The 19-year-old said: “It was really hot racing down; it was a lot of pressure. I run tracks, and it was like a track.

“My heart was going, and you just have to go. I didn’t practice – I just wish I did.

“I have seen this for a couple of years now, and I was over here doing the Cotswold Way, and I have always wanted to do it, so I am here, and I am going to run.

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23-time champion and Guinness World Record winner Chris Anderson (centre), with his William Anderson (left), 11, who won the first children’s uphill race and nephew Xander Anderson, 16, who won the second children’s uphill race during the annual cheese rolling at Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire. (Image: Jacob King / PA)

“I wasn’t sure I had won. I wasn’t sure how fast the other people were; they were just tumbling.

“I’m okay, 100 per cent. I’m going to eat the cheese and try and ship it back home.”

Rebel cheese rollers have been staging their own unofficial event after health and safety fears caused the official competition to be cancelled in 2010.

The cheese is chased 200 yards down the 1:2 gradient Cooper’s Hill at Brockworth.

After a year’s hiatus, when police warned against the use of a real cheese, the imitation lightweight foam cheese was replaced with the genuine article.

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Long-time cheese-maker Rod Smart, who has produced cheese for the chase for more than 25 years, once again provided the wheels for this year’s event.

Four cheeses weighing about 3kg each and three smaller ones, weighing about 1.5kg, are used.

The unusual event has been celebrated for centuries and is thought to have its roots in a heathen festival to celebrate the return of spring.

The official event was cancelled after more than 15,000 people turned up as spectators to watch the 2009 competition.

Since then, it has been held unofficially, with police keeping a watchful eye. Roads have been closed up to two and a half miles around the slope.

Some competitors travelled from across the world to take part in the series of madcap races, which attracted international TV crews.