Valravn

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roller coaster
Valravn
Cedar Point Location Sandusky, Ohio, USA Status Operating since May 7, 2016
Statistics
Manufacturer	Bolliger & Mabillard
Type	Steel - Floorless
Model / product	Dive Coaster (Custom)
Riders per train	24
Propulsion	Chain lift hill
Height223 feet Drop214 feet Top speed75 mph Length3415 feet Inversions3 Steepest drop90°
HELP

Valravn is a steel roller coaster at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, USA. It is a Dive Coaster installation from Swiss company Bolliger & Mabillard and is their fourth roller coaster to open at the park. It is the tallest, fastest and longest Dive Coaster as well as the first to have three inversions. Its height has since been matched by Yukon Striker, which opened in 2019. Yukon Striker also has a taller drop, at 245 feet

History

A section of track on display while Valravn was being constructed

In May 2015, the Sandusky Register received a memo from Bolliger & Mabillard which detailed their proposal for a new $15 million Dive Coaster installation at Cedar Point. Cedar Point spokesperson Bryan Edwards subsequently confirmed that it was one of many proposals for the 2016 season that the park was considering.

After the 2014 season, the Dodgems and Calypso flat rides were moved to a spot near Wicked Twister. In 2015, the Good Times Theatre and Turnpike Cars were both demolished, creating a large open area. In early August, Cedar Point sent a select group of people cardboard virtual reality headsets, inviting them to a preview event on August 18, 2015 at 9PM in the Entrance Plaza. A supposed leaked layout surfaced as well as a logo suggesting that the ride would be called "Valravn". The announcement was postponed after a man was struck and killed by a train on Raptor after entering a restricted area. Meanwhile, track began arriving onsite. Valravn was officially announced on September 9, 2015.

The roller coaster was topped off on December 23, 2015.

Valravn officially opened on May 7, 2016.

Design

Elements
Chain lift hill 165 foot tall Immelmann Dive loop Zero-g roll

Brown and grey track with blue supports. The track was manufactured by Clermont Steel Fabricators in Batavia, Ohio.

Ride experience

After leaving the station, the train turns approximately 180 degrees to the left before reaching the lift hill. At the top of the lift hill, riders are 223 feet above ground. The train takes a 90 degree right-hand turn and is slowed significantly by brakes preceding the drop. As the train begins the first drop, it is held still for a moment as the 214 foot tall drop and the ground below come into view. The train is released and it reaches a speed of 75 mph before entering the 165 foot tall immelmann. After leaving the immelmann, the track curves upwards and the train reaches the mid-course brake run, slowing it down significantly.

The train dives for a second time, this is followed by a dive loop. Immediately after, the train enters the zero-g roll. While the entrance of this inversion resembles a zero-g roll, the exit is more like a corkscrew. The train exits into a left-hand turn. The train travels over an airtime hill before reaching the final brakes.

Trains

A Valravn train

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. Valravn has floorless trains. It is the first Dive Coaster to use Bolliger & Mabillard's vest harnesses. A car from Valravn was on display at B&M's IAAPA booth in 2016.

Etymology

Valravn is Danish for "raven of the slain". In Danish folklore, a valravn is a supernatural raven.

Images

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  The station building

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  A train in storage

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  A train climbing the lift hill

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