Story Summary
An unconventional contest took place on a runway in Jindřichův Hradec: a 100-metre strip of synthetic ice finished with a hockey goal set the stage for a test of extreme accuracy. Matěj Blümel, the 26-year-old Czech international who plays for Sparta Prague, attempted to score with a hockey stick from the ice at increasing distances up to 100 metres. Acrobatic pilot Martin Šonka, flying at roughly 200 km/h just above the ground, released pucks from a specially mounted mechanism on the aeroplane. The pair set out to see who could hit the net first; Blümel needed 28 tries, Šonka succeeded on his 14th release. The project included bespoke engineering to mount and operate a puck-release on the wing and is part of a newly agreed partnership between Red Bull and the Tipsport extraliga.
Key Facts
- Event took place on an airstrip in Jindřichův Hradec using a one-hundred-metre synthetic ice surface ending in a hockey goal.
- Participants were Matěj Blümel, a 26-year-old Czech national team forward who plays for Sparta Prague, and acrobatic pilot Martin Šonka.
- Blümel progressed from shots at 25 metres to 50, 75 and finally 100 metres; he scored from 100 metres after 28 attempts.
- Šonka flew the aeroplane at about 200 km/h, low to the ground, and released pucks from the aircraft using a hockey stick fitted with a custom release box operated from the cockpit.
- Šonka scored on his 14th attempt – half the number of Blümel’s tries – and was told over the radio that the puck had gone in.
- Wind was a factor for both sets of attempts; the absence of dasher boards made distance judgment harder for Blümel.
- The release mechanism and its installation were designed, constructed, mounted and tested specifically for this challenge.
- The stunt is presented as part of a new partnership between Red Bull and the Tipsport extraliga.
IHM Discussion
The exercise combined athletic skill with mechanical invention and aerial precision. On the ice, Blümel faced a rare shooting test: sending the puck 100 metres while retaining enough accuracy to find the net without the usual visual cues provided by boards. He described the 100-metre effort as “probably the hardest shot I have ever taken” and said the lack of boards left him without reference points for judging distance. The pilot’s task was fundamentally different but equally exacting. A reliable method had to be devised to carry and release a puck from a wing-mounted structure, then align a fast, low pass so the puck could travel towards the goal. Šonka said he flew in a 60-70-degree bank with limited control options while aiming at the net and timing the release; wind contributed to several near-misses. The contrast between Blümel’s long-range shooting and Šonka’s aerial release made the challenge unusual.
Why It Matters
The event forms part of the new partnership between Red Bull and the Tipsport extraliga, pairing an unconventional stunt with a Sparta Prague forward and an acrobatic pilot. For Blümel, it provided a test of range and composure in unfamiliar conditions. It also illustrated how wind, the absence of boards, aircraft speed and flight attitude can alter the demands of an extraordinary shooting challenge.
Mini Q&A
Who took part in the challenge?
Matěj Blümel, a 26-year-old Czech international who plays for Sparta Prague, and acrobatic pilot Martin Šonka.
What was the objective?
To be the first to put a puck into a goal positioned at the end of a 100-metre synthetic ice strip: Blümel by shooting with a hockey stick from the ice, Šonka by releasing pucks from a low-flying aeroplane.
How many attempts did each need to score?
Blümel scored on his 28th attempt; Šonka scored on his 14th attempt.
What technical challenges were involved?
Blümel lacked standard visual references from dasher boards and had to combine power with precision over 100 metres; Šonka required a bespoke, cockpit-controlled release mechanism mounted to the wing and had to manage aircraft attitude, timing and wind at about 200 km/h.
Was the project linked to any wider initiative?
Yes. The stunt is part of a newly agreed partnership between Red Bull and the Tipsport extraliga.
Coach Mark Comment
From a coaching perspective, Blümel’s task underlined the balance between power and accuracy. Over extreme distance, adding force can quickly compromise the release and the line to the target, particularly without boards to help judge depth. The challenge was far removed from normal hockey practice, but it still highlighted the value of repeatable shooting mechanics when the visual environment is unfamiliar.
IHM Final View
The runway challenge combined athletic endeavour with technical innovation and provided a genuine test for both participants. Blümel’s long-range goal and Šonka’s successful airborne release showed the very different forms of precision demanded by the stunt.