German YouTuber retains cheese roll champion title

German YouTuber retains cheese roll champion title6 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleChloe HarcombeWest of EnglandReutersTom Kopke won the first men's downhill race for the third year in a rowA German YouTuber has retained his title as a Gloucestershire cheese rolling champion for the third year in a row.Tom Kopke, known online as Tooleko, beat local competitor and Guinness World Record holder Chris Anderson in the first race of the annual event on Cooper's Hill in Brockworth.Thousands of people gathered in the baking heat to watch competitors from all over the world chase a 7lb (3kg) wheel of Double Gloucester cheese - which can reach speeds of up to 70mph - down the 1:2 gradient slope. "It's everyone's race and you have just got to give your best, and the best man wins," Kopke said.There were seven races in total, with each winner taking home a wheel of cheese.PA MediaBrave competitors took on the steep slope of Cooper's HillThe heavy spring rain had softened the hill, but recent hot weather dried it out and made conditions firmer and more dangerous for competitors.Forecasters said it could be the hottest spring bank holiday on record with temperatures reaching almost 30C in Brockworth.Jem Wakeman, the master of ceremonies, said it was the "hottest" event he had ever done.Tom Kopke wins first men's downhill raceKopke, who came from Munich to retain his title in the men's downhill race, said the conditions were "optimal" this year."This was I think my best year ever and I tried to stay on my feet for as long as possible."I think I got a good recovery on the middle of the hill and then sprinted the rest," he said.Kopke beat 23-time champion Anderson close to the finish line."The entire race I saw Chris in front of me and I had to get him," Kopke said.PA MediaThe races took place in very dry, dusty conditionsBefore the races began, Anderson was named a Guinness Worl...