At Cooper’s Hill in Gloucestershire, England, 24-year-old German YouTuber Tom Kopke defeated local legend Chris Anderson at the annual cheese rolling race, one of Britain’s most chaotic and dangerous sporting traditions.
On a hot day in the English West Country, Kopke bested Anderson, 38, down the notoriously steep Cooper’s Hill, which features a brutal 1:2 gradient that regularly sends competitors flying, rolling, and crashing toward the finish line.
The victory marked Kopke’s third consecutive win at the event, further cementing his status as the modern king of cheese rolling.
Speaking after the race at the foot of the hill, Kopke delivered a line worthy of the occasion: “If that hill is hell, I’m the devil.”
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Anderson, a Gloucestershire local and 23-time winner, had briefly come out of retirement after being challenged by Kopke. The veteran racer initially took the lead, but the younger German had other ideas.
“I thought: ‘I’m going to get his ass,’” Kopke said.
The prize for victory is the wheel of Double Gloucester cheese that competitors chase down the hill, although surviving the descent is often considered reward enough.
Kopke explained that success on Cooper’s Hill requires total commitment. “Shut off your brain and go for it,” he said of his race strategy.
Anderson, meanwhile, believes technique matters more than reckless speed. “Obviously you need to be fast but overall it’s better to stay in control rather than going flat out,” he said.
Despite finishing second, Anderson admitted he felt nervous before the race and knew his chances were slipping when he saw Kopke surge past him during the descent.
Origins of the Event
The origins of the cheese rolling event are unclear, with written records dating back nearly 200 years. Anderson, who grew up in the nearby village of Brockworth, believes the tradition may be far older.
“Perhaps it was an old pagan ritual to bring good luck for the harvest,” he said, suggesting the race could date back another 400 years before official records began.
What was once a local Gloucestershire tradition has evolved into a global spectacle. Competitors now travel from around the world, while YouTubers and influencers draw millions of online views to the event every year.
The race featuring Kopke and Anderson was one of seven staged throughout the day. Alongside the headline men’s downhill race, organizers hosted additional men’s and women’s downhill events, as well as children’s and mixed uphill races that were less dangerous, though equally exhausting in the heat.
Caring for the Cheeses
While competitors frequently leave Cooper’s Hill with bumps, bruises, and occasional injuries, more importantly the cheeses themselves tend to survive remarkably well. Organizers keep them refrigerated until race time and carefully wrap them to ensure they remain intact and edible, even during unusually high temperatures.
Maintaining Traditions
Anderson’s family still had reason to celebrate despite his defeat. His 11-year-old son William won one of the children’s uphill races, taking home a wheel of cheese and hinting at the continuation of a family tradition.
William said he hopes to compete in the downhill race himself once he is old enough.
