Hrvoje Starjacki Wins Second MINI Rookie Award

Following last month’s kick-off event in Munich, when the first MINI Rookie Award went to German Fabien Mels, the second Red Bull Crashed Ice Championship tournament, this time in Valkenburg, announced its winners.

Just like Mels, as the fastest newcomer, the Croatian Hrvoje Starjacki took the MINI Rookie Award. Arrtu Philainen came as overall winner in the Ice Cross Downhill of this tournament.

In RCIB, groups of four ice-skaters will race downhill on an ice cross track. The races take place on a 350 meter-long artificial ice track that was specially created for each event. The MINI Rookie Award marks its debut in 2011 and honors the fastest novice on the RBCI track.

"It's the best sport I have tried, but I can improve on that performance. I want to go further and further," stated Starjacki with great enthusiasm.

“The Rookie Award is just like MINI. It stands for courage, speed and the motivation to reach the top,” Leon van Schie, MINI Brandmanager, said after presenting the award.

“This is the second time carmaker MINI has supported the Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship as official automotive partner, continuing the collaboration with Austrian energy drink producer Red Bull that was successfully launched last year. MINI sets great store by promoting young talents,” a company statement reads.

The MINI Rookie Award will also be presented at the next two events in the Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship, to be held in Moscow, Russia (26 February) and in Quebec, Canada (19 March) the Championships’ final.