A German YouTuber has won the world-famous cheese-rolling competition in Gloucestershire after narrowly beating a local rival who had returned from retirement to reclaim his title.
Tom Kopke secured victory for a third consecutive year after chasing an 8lb Double Gloucester cheese down the steep slopes of Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth.
Kopke managed to overtake record-holder Chris Anderson near the finish line in one of the closest races of the day.
After crossing the line, Kopke said: "This year's cheese will taste the sweetest of all the cheeses I have won."
The annual event once again saw competitors throw themselves down the dangerously steep hill in pursuit of the rolling cheese wheel, despite the risk of serious injury including fractures and concussions.
Around two dozen competitors took part in the race, sprinting, stumbling and tumbling down the muddy hillside as thousands of spectators gathered around the course.
Heavy rain earlier in the spring had softened parts of the hill, although recent warm weather made sections of the course firmer and faster for racers.
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Kopke said the conditions were better than previous years.
"This was I think my best year ever and I tried to stay on my feet for as long as possible," he said.
"I don't know how it went but I gave everything. It's everyone's race and you have just got to give your best and the best man wins."
He added: "The hill was better than last year as the hill was really dry, but this year it was the optimal conditions – not too dry and a bit soft so the falls got cushioned."
After the race, Anderson embraced Kopke at the bottom of the hill as the German celebrated retaining his crown.
The cheese-rolling competition at Cooper’s Hill has become one of the UK’s best-known eccentric sporting traditions, attracting competitors and spectators from around the world every year despite repeated safety concerns from local authorities.
