Russian "Ride" Runs Amok, One Dead

MOSCOW :  It was supposed to be a thrilling ride down a ski slope inside a giant inflatable ball,  known as a zorb, that is to be one of the symbols of next year's Winter Olympics.  The symbol was a giant flop as it killed one and seriously injured two Russian men inside.



The transparent plastic ball veered off course and sailed over a ledge in the rugged Caucasus Mountains of southern Russia. The ball picked up speed as it hurtled down the steep slope, rolling and bouncing wildly.

In a monumental understatement, a Russian Olympic official, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "This pretty much spells the end for the use of the zorb as a tourist attraction at the Winter Olympics.  Not many people will want to ride a "death" machine rolling down a mountain."