The Sporty Forty: Sheffield's Sport Scene Challenge | Podcast on RSS.com

The Sporty Forty: Sheffield's Sport Scene Challenge

The Sporty Forty: Sheffield's Sport Scene Challenge

by Joe Wood and Rikki Hill

Season 1

Korfball. Parties All The Time.

Sport number twelve takes us to visit Sheffield City Korfball Club for their summer tournament where we discover what a fast and fun sport this is. We turned up with no idea of the rules, so naturally we tried to figure it out ourselves. Luckily Jamie from the club was on hand to add some much needed context and help us figure out what was going on. Hear why parties aren't as good as they sound, what a korf actually is and why so many people start playing at university. Another new sport discovered, another friendly atmosphere. Twelve down. Twenty eight to go.

Hovercraft Racing - Madness On The Water

To Rother Valley this time for the fun, fast and totally mental sport of hovercraft racing. They may look like a cross between a lawnmower and a mattress but they are astonishing bits of precision engineering. And boy can they move. Unique, equally fast on water and land and incredibly hard to drive. We chatted with champions, winced at some close capsizing calls and generally had a much more fun time than at the snooker. Join us for maybe the wackiest sport yet. Certainly the fastest. Eleven down, twenty nine to go.

Snooker. Cue The Disappointment

Episode 10 takes us to the iconic Crucible Theatre for the World Seniors Snooker Championships, ready to experience one of Sheffield's most famous venues. And that was about as good as it got. We wanted to like it. We gave it every chance. Turns out total silence isn't our favourite environment to watch sport in. We talk about what we didn't like, our potential new found fame and there were some positives but the iconic venue does a lot of the heavy lifting on that front. It's our first real letdown, and that's OK. We knew we probably wouldn't enjoy them all and if you are following our challenge you'll get the rough with the smooth. Ten down, thirty to go.

Sheffield Giants American Football - Touchdowns and Tailgate

Sport number nine takes us to American football with the Sheffield Giants and we were very pleasantly surprised. We weren't sure what to expect but we were blown away by the standard of action on the field and came away wondering why more people aren't coming down to watch this action packed sport. We continued our Sporty Forty tradition as the Sheffield team won again. And as if that wasn't enough we got great coffee, even better cookies and loads of friendly chat and insight from Tailgate Coffee who talked us through the finer points as well as fuelling our afternoon. As always we rank the action, atmosphere, venue and food and drink and place the Giants on our Sporty Forty leaderboard. Nine down, thirty one to go.

Sheffield Tigers speedway - Noisy, Dirty And Mental.

Sport number eight sees us at Owlerton Stadium for the fast, loud and mad sport of speedway. Roaring engines, flying dust and more as the riders slide sideways round the track at eye popping speeds. It's the first home meeting of the season as the fans renew friendships and the Tigers renew rivalries with Belle Vue Aces. We discuss Sheffield's animals, tough trivia and as always we rank the venue, atmosphere, food and action. A very fun way to spend a Thursday night. Eight down, thirty two to go.

Sheffield Sharks Basketball - Noise, Drama and Non Stop Action.

This time we head to Canon Medical Arena to see the Sharks and what a game they delivered, rising from the ashes to topple the Cheshire Phoenix by the narrowest of margins. We got fully into this one, celebrating like diehards as we got swept up in the pulsating atmosphere. There's the return of an old favourite, some unusual food options and finally some needle for Rikki to enjoy. As always we rank the food, venue, atmosphere and action and , spoiler alert, this one does pretty well. Is this Sheffield's best atmosphere? Please rate and review us if you are able. Seven down, thirty three to go

European Figure Skating Championships - How Was It and Was It Worth The Money?

We headed to the European Figure Skating Championships held in Sheffield as the next stop in our 40 sports challenge. It may look sleek and elegant but is it different live? Hear about flaming teddy bears, the brilliant but controversial French couple and Joe gets political. As always we rank the atmosphere, venue, food and action for our leaderboard. Please rate and review us if you are able as it makes us easier to find. Six down, thirty four to go.

E5. Beards, Brute Force and Breakfast at The English Weekend Of Strength

We venture a little outside of Sheffield for this one to Doncaster Dome for the English Weekend Of Strength. Big characters lifting big things, lots of grunting cheering and a real close and supportive community. Hear about the dedication needed to succeed in this compelling sport, a brilliant bonus breakfast and why the event's name was making us a little nervous. Join Joe and Rikki for nostalgic TV chat, more toilet mishaps and us finding out what gear really means. Five down, thirty five to go.

E4. Swim England National Masters

In this episode we head back indoors to Ponds Forge for some competitive swimming. And boy was it competitive, with actual world records being set. We've all had a go at swimming but these competitors are called masters for a reason. Hear about the event, Rikki's unwanted interruption and as always we will rank the atmosphere, food and drink, venue and the action. Join Joe and Rikki as we discuss whether snakes can swim and what a psycho swimmer would be like. Four down, thirty six to go.

E3. Steve Peat's Downhill Mountain Biking. Sporting Legend Back In His Backyard.

We hit the trail to see the fearless, fast and fun sport of downhill mountain biking. You'll hear about our own biking mishaps, why we were watching nervously and hear about Sheffield's biggest sporting superstar you've never heard of. As usual we'll rank the food, the atmosphere, the venue and the action. Join Joe and Rikki for probably the only event we'll visit that finishes in a massive bomb crater. Three down, thirty seven to go.

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