The Cane Lane in an obstacle, firstly introduced as the ninth obstacle on American Ninja Warrior 10 during Indianapolis finals.
Competitors must move a hanging cane across two tracks, with a gap between the tracks:
- The first track was 15 feet (4.572 meters) long and S-shaped (similar to the one used on the Swinging Spikes) and had a stopper to overcome. Once the competitors reached the end of the first track, competitors must hoist themselves along with the cane so it could be hung across the second track.
- The second track was placed slightly to the left and had its first part straight, while its second part was angled downward with two pegs to overcome (similar to the one used on the Ring Jump).
This obstacle proved to be very difficult, as 9 out of 13 competitors fell here, including Travis Rosen, Brian Arnold, Chris DiGangi, Tyler Yamauchi, Jesse Labreck, Michael Bougher, Mike Wright and many other veterans. Dan Polizzi, Ethan Swanson, Rigel Henry, and Trevor West were the only ones able to complete it.
During the first filming of Dan Polizzi's run, the track on Cane Lane snapped and fell into the water, as did Dan, who was maneuvering the cane at the time. Later, he got a rerun, and cleared the obstacle, before failing Spider Trap.
Later, on the same season, the Cane Lane reappeared as the seventh and penultimate obstacle in Stage Three, replacing the Time Bomb from the previous season. This time, the tracks' shape was changed to zigzag, along with the change in design, resembling a beam, possibly as a measure to prevent it from snapping again. However, due to Sean Bryan and Drew Drechsel being the only two competitors to attempt Stage Three, with both of them failing on the Ultimate Cliffhanger, no one had attempted the obstacle.
During USA vs. The World 5, the obstacle was attempted by Drew Drechsel from Team USA, but he failed to complete it.
Other Season Appearances[]
American Ninja Warrior 11[]
On American Ninja Warrior 11, the Cane Lane appeared as the ninth obstacle during Baltimore finals, with a similar design to the obstacle that appeared in Stage Three on the previous season, but retaining the track's layout as it appeared during Indianapolis finals on the previous season, with the only difference being that the dip was placed further down the first track.
However, due to the casualties caused by the previous obstacle (the Angry Birds), since the obstacle eliminated all of the competitors who attempted it, the Cane Lane, along with the next obstacle after it (the Spider Trap), were left unattempted.
Later, on the same season, the Cane Lane returned on the same position (as the penultimate obstacle) in Stage Three. Compare to the previous season, the track's structure and design was reverted to the one in Baltimore, however the second track was replaced by a small straight track where competitors had to transit to. This time, the obstacle was attempted by eight competitors and eliminated five of them: Joe Moravsky, Karson Voiles, Tyler Gillett, Kevin Carbone, and Seth Rogers. Only Adam Rayl, Drew Drechsel, and Daniel Gil could complete it (for Adam's case, his completion was considered a clear as he barely grabbed on the resting bar to the Flying Bar before falling).
On American Ninja Warrior 13, the obstacle is replaced by the Eyeglass Alley.
Other Appearances[]
Ninja Warrior France[]
On Ninja Warrior France 4, Cane Lane (L'Accroche du Ciel, literally The Sky Hook) appeared as the fourth obstacle in Stage Two, directly following Salmon Ladder with no rest. It consisted of two zig-zag tracks, and each track had its own cane. No competitors failed on this obstacle.
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
In Ninja Warrior Germany 4, the Cane Lane, locally known as Spaziergang (literally Take a Walk), appeared as the eighth obstacle in First Stage. This time, the beam design was similar to the version in American Ninja Warrior 10's Stage Three. However, some changes were made compared to the American Ninja Warrior version:
- The first two tracks are similar to the one in American Ninja Warrior 10's Stage Three, but with no pegs blocking midway these tracks,
- Another track was added behind the second track, which was similar to the second track of the one in American Ninja Warrior 10's Indianapolis finals, but with only one peg near the end,
- And all tracks had a cane placed at the start of each track; competitors can simply reach over from one cane to another.
Then in the Ninja Warrior Germany: Four Nations Special 2, the Cane Lane reappeared, this time serving as the eighth and penultimate obstacle of the First Stage. This time, the obstacle differed in two points compared with the Cane Lane iteration that has been used in the previous Ninja Warrior Germany season:
- The second cane that was originally placed at start of the second track was removed completely, meaning that the competitors now had to hop this first cane across both the first two tracks,
- And in relation to the aforementioned change, there was a new critical move which required the competitors to hop and turn the cane 180ยฐ mid-air between the first and the second track before landing on the second track, a concept similar to the Crazy Cliffhanger.
The obstacle proved to be somewhat difficult, especially due to the above-mentioned modification. Although only Arleen Schรผรler from Team Germany out of the seven competitors who attempted this obstacle failed it.
Then, in Ninja Warrior Germany 5, Cane Lane appeared as the second obstacle of Third Stage. Compared to the version appeared in Ninja Warrior Germany 4:
- There was only one cane now at the start of this obstacle, meaning competitors had to hop this cane across all the tracks till the end,
- And the third track was made nearer to the second track.
This version took out Max Sprenger and Moritz Hans.
Then, in Ninja Warrior Germany 6, the Cane Lane appeared as the second obstacle in the Third Stage. This time, too, some changes have been made to the obstacle compared to the Cane Lane from it's previous appearance (Ninja Warrior Germany 5):
- A rope was now installed at the start of the obstacle which served as a medium for the participants to reach the cane,
- And the third track was changed so that it was opposite the second track, i.e. competitors had to turn the cane in the same manner as they did between the first and second track.
These changes seemed to be vital, as four competitors failed, including Eric Zekina, Stefanie Noppinger (the Last Woman Standing of the same season) and, most shockingly, Alexander Wurm (the Last Man Standing of the Seasons 3, 4 & 5).
Competitors' Success Rate[]
- All results based on the NBC broadcast and external information found.
American Ninja Warrior[]
ANW | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
---|---|---|---|
ANW10 (city finals) | 4 | 13 | 30.77% |
ANW10 (Stage Three) | 0 | 0 | N/A |
ANW11 (city finals) | 0 | 0 | N/A |
ANW11 (Stage Three) | 3 | 8 | 37.5% |
USA vs. The World 5 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
USA vs. The World 6 | 1 | 1 | 100% |
Total | 8 | 23 | 34.78% |
Trivia[]
- The Cane Lane seemed to be based on the Arm Rings, as both obstacles involved the competitors to slide a curved object down a meandering track.
- The Cane Lane was one of the obstacles that won the Obstacle Design Challenge, submitted by Kevin Brekke, the same person that submitted Crank It Up on American Ninja Warrior 9. However, this was not announced or revealed upon broadcast and was found from external information.
- It was coincidentally left unattempted on a course two seasons in a row: on American Ninja Warrior 10's Stage Three course, and on American Ninja Warrior 11's Baltimore finals course.
- Cane Lane is also the first and only city finals/semifinals obstacle to be left unattempted that is not the final obstacle, as it was place as the ninth and penultimate obstacle in Baltimore finals.