A two-time cheese-rolling champion is an NC woman.

Photo Credit (Gettyimages)

Abby Lampe, a native of North Carolina, won her second title in cheese rolling, one of the most rigorous annual events in Britain.

In the women’s race, Lampe’s lightning-fast roll left the rest of the pack in her wake.

NC State alumnus Lampe, who also won in 2022, remarked, “You just have to roll.” “There is some discomfort, but it will only last for a short while.”

In the southwest region of England, near Gloucester, reckless racers chased seven-pound (3-kg) wheels of Double Gloucester cheese down Cooper’s Hill, which is almost vertical. The fast-rolling cheese is kept by the first competitor to finish behind it in each race.

Cheese-rolling is thought to be a considerably older activity, and the races have been staged at Cooper’s Hill, roughly 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of London, since at least 1826.

There are frequently safety concerns associated with the rough-and-tumble event. Few contestants are able to stay upright for the whole 200-yard (180-meter) descent.

The hill this year was particularly muddy and slick due to recent rain.

In order to grab the plummeting contestants, members of a nearby rugby club queued up at the bottom.

One of the three men’s races was won by Tom Kopke of Munich, Germany. He thought that technique was less significant than attitude.

According to Kopke, “you start, and then the adrenaline takes over, and you just go, go go.”

The filthy, panting champion continued, “Look at this event, look at this hill.” “England is insane. I adore it.

The other two men’s downhill races were won by local contender Josh Shepherd and Australian Dylan Twiss.

The race is customarily held on a late-May national holiday, and dozens of kids and adults also participated in slower, safer, but no less exhausting, uphill versions.