MP Patrick Brown taking on other MP’s at Crashed Ice Event in support of MS

March 23, 2011

Barrie – MP Patrick Brown, Conservative - Barrie is competing against other Members of Parliament at the Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship 2011 season finale in Quebec City.  MP Tim Uppall, Conservative, Edmonton - Sherwood Park and MP Glenn Thibeault, NDP – Sudbury are also confirmed with other late additions expected.

The MP‟s will be racing down the 540 metres long course beginning at the historic Chateau Frontenac. With an average width of 4.5 metres and a 60-metre vertical, the World Championship showcases the skaters‟ strength, speed, and technique. This year‟s ice track requires strategy, and will give racers additional overtaking opportunities before they come to the finish line by the Saint Lawrence River at Place de Paris.

As soon as the horn goes, the competitors will storm down Rue du Fort before hitting a spectacular turn in front of the Post Office. In a cutting edge addition to this year's course, skaters will be challenged by a 360-degree turn in Montmorency Park before facing the 'Splitter', where the course splits for 30 meters, forcing racers to pick sides: either the fastest, tightest route, or the slowest, widest side.

The MP‟s are competing in support of Multiple sclerosis. "I am so happy our MP is willing to do anything for MS. Whether it be skating down a mountain or riding a mechanical bull, Patrick is always there for us”, said Jeanette Elliott, the Chair of the Simcoe County Chapter of the MS Society.

In addition to raising funds and awareness for MS, the MP‟s have a side bet, where each has agreed to wear the winners Junior Hockey jersey during their local upcoming „MS Walk‟. MP Brown will compete for the OHL‟s Barrie Colts, MP Uppall for the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL and MP Thibeault for the OHL‟s Sudbury Wolves. MP Brown says he has a simple strategy to winning the race, “Just go faster than the other guys”.

Race time is tomorrow (Saturday March 19th) at 11:30am.