Corkscrew

Corkscrew is an obstacle, firstly introduced as the eighth obstacle during the first and second episodes of the semifinals on American Ninja Warrior 12.

After competing the Salmon Ladder, competitors must hold on to a bar and would make a swing onto a wheel that would spin downwards in a clockwise direction. After that, they must swing upwards to the second wheel that would spin in a clockwise direction. They must do the process again on the third wheel and leap to the landing platform. To add the difficulty, the wheels would spin back up when competitors move on to the next wheels.

This obstacle became brutal as multiple notable competitors failed there, such as Kevin Bull, Thomas Stillings, Grant McCartney, Mike Wright, Devin Harrelson, Sandy Zimmerman, Jessie Graff, Abel Gonzalez, David Campbell, Brian Kretsch and Mathis Owhadi.

American Ninja Warrior 13
On American Ninja Warrior 13, the Corkscrew appeared as the eighth obstacle during the first episode of the semifinals. This time, compared to the previous season, competitors were given a resting area before attempting the obstacle, which provided them a spot to rest their feet onto. Also, the rotating speed of each corkscrew has been reduced.

These changes proved to make a significant difference, as all fifteen competitors who attempted the obstacle completed it, including Abel Gonzalez, who failed on this obstacle on the previous season.

American Ninja Warrior: Women's Championship
The Corkscrew appeared as the eighth obstacle during the Women's Championship, which was filmed during American Ninja Warrior 12. Significant modifications were made to make the obstacle easier:
 * A resting bar was added between the Salmon Ladder and the initial transition bar.
 * There were only two wheels instead of three, with an extra transition bar between the wheels.

As a result of these modifications, all five female competitors who attempted the obstacle completed it.

Australian Ninja Warrior
On Australian Ninja Warrior 5, the Corkscrew appeared twice during the season:
 * Firstly, as the fourth obstacle during the semifinals. However, the obstacle only featured one wheel placed between two shelves from the Flying Shelf Grab. Therefore, the obstacle was named as the Flying Shelf Grab to Corkscrew.
 * Secondly, as the fourth obstacle in Stage One. This time, the obstacle featured three wheels, just like its original appearance on American Ninja Warrior 12. The obstacle was also called as the Triple Corkscrew. Compared to its appearance on American Ninja Warrior, a pole was used at the start as a medium to reach the bar, since the obstacle was not preceded by any obstacle with no rest. In addition, there were a pole and two resting bars placed parallel to the competitor, in comparison to American Ninja Warrior where the resting bars are perpendicular to the competitor.

Ninja Warrior France
L'échelle de Vitesse, Ninja Warrior France's official name for the Corkscrew would appear as the fourth obstacle of Qualification 1 of Ninja Warrior France 6. It is paired with the Ring Chaser as part of Route B of the Crossroads. The obstacle would be slightly modified for female competitors, as the wheels would not spin downwards. Instead, it would just slight drop once female competitors apply their weight onto the wheels. In addition, a rope was used at the start as a medium to reach the two resting bars that competitors can hold before transferring to the wheels.

Competitors' Success Rate

 * All results based on the NBC broadcast and external information found

Trivia



 * The Corkscrew was one of the obstacles that won the American Ninja Warrior: Obstacle Design Challenge, designed by Josh Norton, who competed on American Ninja Warrior 12 but was eliminated in the qualifiers.
 * The obstacle was originally named the Pogo Wheels when Norton submitted the obstacle in the said contest.
 * According to Norton, the obstacle was inspired by wheels on submarine hatches that would be needed to spin to open. The concept of the wheels spinning back up upon release would become similar to how pogo sticks bounce back up upon touching the ground.