The Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling Festival, a famously chaotic and ancient tradition, has crowned many champions over the years. These victors earn not a monetary prize, but the ultimate bragging rights and, of course, the wheel of Double Gloucester cheese. The competition features multiple races throughout the day, typically one for the women and several for the men. This means that each year, a handful of brave souls secure the coveted prize.
Table of Contents
- Noteworthy Winners
- Chris Anderson: The King of the Hill
- Stephen Gyde: The Previous Record Holder
- Women’s Race Champions
Noteworthy Winners
The event has produced some truly legendary competitors who have dominated the slopes, setting records for the most wins. The global spectacle draws competitors from many countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, and Japan.
Chris Anderson: The King of the Hill
One of the most famous and successful participants is Chris Anderson, a local of Brockworth and a soldier in the British Army.
- Total Wins: Anderson holds the all-time record with 23 wins over a 14-year period.
- Record Breaking: He achieved his 22nd win in 2018, officially surpassing the previous record of 21.
- Final Win: His final race took place in 2019, securing his 23rd cheese before retiring from competitive rolling.
Women’s Race Champions
The Women’s Race, while having fewer overall races, has also seen some consistent champions.
- Flo Early: A celebrated female racer, Flo Early, from Stroud, has won the women’s race a total of 4 times, establishing herself as a dominant figure in her division.
This international participation underscores the festival’s worldwide appeal, even though local Brits often dominate the winner’s podium due to their familiarity with the notoriously difficult slope. The hill’s gradient is so severe, a 50% incline, that victory often depends as much on skillful falling as on running.