SIX ice hockey fans turned heads and stomachs in a giant hot dog eating competition.
The group of volunteer eaters, all supporters of different Elite Ice Hockey League teams, raced to down a 2.5ft chilli dog at the National Ice Centre.
Each huge meal was made from a giant baguette, four hot dogs and a kilo of chilli.
The 'Fan Versus Food' competition was held on Saturday outside the centre, which hosted the league's play-off finals.
The six sat at a stage in Bolero Square and had 20 minutes to eat as much as they could in front of a crowd of fans who gathered between the Nottingham Panthers semi-final with Cardiff Devils and the second semi-final of Belfast Giants against Coventry Blaze.
Staff at the centre came up with the eye-watering challenge after being inspired by Man v Food, an American reality television series.
The winner was 24-year-old Giants fan Graeme Bell, a 6ft 9in photographer from Belfast.
He downed 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, of Sleaford, 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 the 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.