Cheese-rolling legend beaten by German YouTuber

The Gloucestershire cheese rolling contest's most successful ever competitor has been beaten by a German YouTuber. 

World Record holder Chris Anderson, 38, was pipped to the finish line by Tom Kopke, 24, in the death-defying annual race - which sees contestants chase an 8lb double Gloucester cheese down the steep Cooper's Hill in Brockworth.

"This year's cheese will taste the sweetest of all the cheeses I have won," Mr Kopke said after the race.

Recent hot weather had made it firmer and more dangerous for the competitors - with temperatures soaring to past 30C in recent days.

This year's instalment gripped fans after Mr Anderson came out of retirement, following a direct challenge by Mr Kopke.

Mr Anderson, from Brockworth, has won the competition 23 times.

But since his retirement Mr Kopke, from Munich, had taken over the annual race, winning it the last few years.

"This was I think my best year ever and I tried to stay on my feet for as long as possible," Mr Kopke 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.

"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.

"I think I got a good recovery on the middle of the hill and then sprinted the rest.

"This year's cheese will taste the sweetest of all the cheeses I have won."

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The cheese is chased 200 yards down the 1:2 gradient Cooper's Hill.

The unusual event has been celebrated for centuries and is thought to have its roots in a heathen festival to celebrate the return of spring.

The official event was cancelled after more than 15,000 people turned up as spectators to watch the 2009 competition.

Since then, it has been held unofficially, with police keeping a watchful eye. Roads have been closed up to two and a half miles around the slope.

Some competitors travelled from across the world to take part in the series of madcap races, which attracted international TV crews.

(c) Sky News 2026: Cheese-rolling legend beaten by German YouTuber