SIX ice hockey fans have gone face-to-face in a giant hot dog eating competition at the National Ice Centre in Nottingham.
The group of volunteer eaters, all supporters of different teams, raced each other to each down a 2.5ft chilli dog made from a giant baguette, four hot dogs and a kilo of chilli.
The 'Fan Versus Food' competition was held today outside the centre, which is hosting the national Elite Ice Hockey League play-off finals this weekend.
The six sat at a stage in Balero Square outside the centre and had 20 minutes to eat as much as possible in front of a crowd of fans.
The contest ran this afternoon between the Nottingham Panthers semi-final with Cardiff Devils and the second semi-final of Belfast Giants against Coventry Blaze.
The winner was 24-year-old Giants fan Graeme Bell, a 6ft 9" photographer from Belfast.
He ended the contest by downing his chilli dog in 14 minutes and 20 seconds, with Panthers fan James Bryan coming second just a few mouthfuls behind.
After his victory, Graeme said: "I'm a wee bit full now - but I can eat a lot.
"I love hot dogs but when I saw it I was thinking it was a bit bigger than I was expecting."
James, 30, from Sleaford in Lincolnshire, said: "I found out about the competition through Facebook and put myself forward just for a laugh.
"The hardest part was the bread. I started well and it wasn't too bad. I still like chilli and hot dogs - and given a few minutes more I would have finished mine myself."
The chilli dogs were made by in-house catering staff at the National Ice Centre as part of a series of events in the square to build atmosphere around the play-offs.
Centre catering manager James Jordan said: "We wanted to create some fun and build the atmosphere. Chilli dogs are something you don't get every day but they are sort of associated with ice hockey.
"We did have a plan in case anyone was ill. There were some buckets but it didn't happen."
Fans of Coventry Blaze, Dundee Stars, Cardiff Devils and Braehead Clan ice hockey teams also took part in the contest.
The play-off final will be held at the centre tomorrow.
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