Yukon Striker

Roller coaster in Canada
Watch the on-ride POV
Yukon Striker
Yukon Striker during its opening year
Canada's Wonderland
Location Vaughan, Ontario, Canada
Park section Frontier Canada
Status Operating since 3 May 2019
Cost $25,000,000
Replaced Skyrider
Statistics
Manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard
Product Dive Coaster
Type Steel - Floorless - Hyper - Diving
Riders per train 24
Hourly capacity 1310
Propulsion Chain lift hill
Height 68 metres
Drop 74.7 metres
Top speed 130 km/h
Length 1104.9 metres
Inversions 4
Drop angle 90°
Duration 3:25
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Yukon Striker is a steel dive hyper roller coaster located at Canada's Wonderland in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. The ride was designed by Bolliger & Mabillard and manufactured in Ohio.[1] It opened to the public on May 3, 2019. Yukon Striker is the largest Dive Coaster installation built to date. It was constructed within the new Frontier Canada themed area, which is based on the Yukon backcountry during the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 1890s.[1]

History

In January 2018, Bolliger & Mabillard track was spotted from the air at Canada's Wonderland. Due to the size of the track, this was presumed to be for a Dive Coaster in 2019. Later that month, a permit was filed revealing Canada's Wonderland's plans to install a roller coaster with an underwater tunnel.[2]

In March 2018, an underground tunnel began to be dug underneath Vortex, the park's Arrow Dynamics suspended roller coaster.

In May 2018, teasers appeared that hinted at a gold rush theme for the ride. In July, the park set an August 15 date for the ride's announcement. A promotional video revealing the name Yukon Striker and the layout was published by CBC the night before the announcement. This was confirmed at the official unveiling, during which further details were revealed.[3]

In February 2019, the ride's track layout was completed.[4]

On March 14, 2019, the coaster completed its first test run.

The coaster opened as planned on May 3, 2019.[5]

Design

Elements

Yukon Striker is a Dive Coaster manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard. It features a 122 foot tall vertical loop, a first for the ride type, and an underground tunnel passing beneath Vortex. It also features a 152 foot tall zero-g winder, a new type of inversion. While its height is the same as that of Valravn at Cedar Point, Yukon Striker has a taller drop and a longer track length.

Ride experience

Yukon Striker makes a 180 degree right turn out of the station, dipping and rising into the lift hill. It turns 90 degrees to the right at the apex, hanging over the 24 story drop. After dropping, it enters an underwater tunnel into the 187 foot tall immelmann. This is followed by a 152 foot tall zero-g winder to the right, into a 122 foot tall vertical loop, followed by a 103 foot tall immelmann over Timberwolf Falls. The mid course brake run is also located over Timberwolf Falls, and the second drop leads into a helix underneath the first drop which goes into the final brake run.

Color scheme

Yukon Striker has copper track and aqua green supports.

Trains

3 trains with 3 cars per train. In each car, riders are arranged 8 across in a single row, for a total of 24 riders per train.

Images

Construction

Exterior

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Record-breaking dive coaster coming to Canada's Wonderland". The Star.
  2. "Executive Committee Meeting Revised Agenda" (PDF). Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.
  3. Announcement Date Set for Canada's Wonderland's New For 2019 Coaster - NewsPlusNotes
  4. "Yukon Striker construction completed".
  5. "World record-breaking dive coaster Yukon Striker thrills its first riders".

External links

Highest inversion on a roller coaster
May 3, 2019 - June 29, 2019
Preceded by
GateKeeper
Highest inversion on a roller coaster
May 3, 2019 - June 29, 2019
Succeeded by
Falcon


Articles on Canada's Wonderland