Buffalo, it's time to fight for your spot in 2013 Ice Cross Downhill Series

New York's extreme athletes take to the ice to vie for a spot at the 2013 Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship in Niagara Falls, Ontario

Ice cross downhill charges into Canada with two stops — this year the series kicks off in Niagara Falls, Ontario, on Dec. 1, and comes to an epic season finale in Quebec City, Quebec, on March 16, 2013 — but local thrill-seekers will only have one chance to compete in the 2013 Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship, as there is only one U.S. qualifier for Niagara Falls stop. After a random lottery selection, 200 men and 20 women from Western New York will compete to take on the ice cross downhill challenge. Check out the action at the Buffalo qualifier at the Aurora Ice Classic Tribute Rink on Oct. 16 at 6 p.m.

The format: Athletes - 200 men and 20 women - face two identical obstacle courses where skaters tackle the course two at a time. The top overall scores based on speed, skill, strength and agility will determine the best of the best - five men and one women from the Buffalo qualifier - who will advance to the season opener in Niagara Falls.

Additional spots open: Red Bull Crashed Ice will also allow 50 walk-up spots per qualifying city (as time permits and registration allows). The 50 walk-ups (first come, first serve) will join the 200 men and 20 women selected via the lottery eligible to take part in the qualifiers as they all vie to skate into Niagara Falls.

Season finale: After the race in Niagara Falls on Dec. 1, the top 64 Canadian men and 16 women will earn their spot for the season finale race in Quebec City on March 16.

Only the quickest and sharpest men and women from Buffalo will travel to Niagara Falls to tackle the unique urban ice track.

WHAT:Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship 2013 Buffalo Qualifier

WHEN:Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 6 p.m. (athlete registration at 5 p.m. and qualifier at 6 p.m.)

WHERE:Aurora Ice Classic Tribute Rink -41 Riley St., East Aurora, N.Y.

Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship season opener - Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 in Niagara Falls, Ontario

2012-13 Race Calendar

Dec. 1: Niagara Falls, Ontario (Canada)

Jan. 26, 2013: Saint Paul, Minn. (USA)

Feb. 16, 2013: TBD (Russia)

March 2, 2013: Lausanne (Switzerland)

March 16, 2013: Quebec City, Quebec (Canada)

About Red Bull Crashed Ice

A combination of hockey, boardercross, and downhill skiing, Red Bull Crashed Ice sets a thrilling stage for intrepid male and female amateur and pro hockey players from around the globe. No flat surfaces here - instead, daring racers hurtle down an ice track showcasing their strength, speed and technique while battling massive jumps, gaping drops, hairpin turns and each other to the icy, epic finish.

Each stop of the 2013 World Championship features shoot-outs for national and international athletes. The fastest 64 Canadian and 64 international athletes from each shoot-out advance to the elimination round where the ice mavericks are seeded into brackets of four, as the two skaters from each bracket with the highest speeds advance to the finals

Connect with Red Bull Crashed Ice

Facebook:www.facebook.com/redbullcrashediceworldchampionship

Twitter:@redbullBUF | @RedBullCanada | @CrashedIce | #CrashedIceCAN | #CrashedIceBUF

Instagram: Red Bull Canada

To register for the Buffalo qualifier, visitwww.redbullcrashedice.com/buffalo.

For more information about the world championship, visit:www.redbullcrashedice.com.