Image showing the scale of the three transitions (Left: from 1st to 2nd; Middle: from 2nd to 3rd; Right: dismount)
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 completing 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 4 feet (1.22 meters) 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. This is in part due to a principle in physics known as the moment of inertia, which determines the speed an object spins around an axis by the distribution of the object's mass. Some competitors were landing their bodies right underneath the axis of rotation for each wheel, which made them spin faster, twisted their arms tight, and weakened their grip quicker. Ideally, competitors should hang onto one side of the wheel and keeping their frame small, which condenses their mass to a spot on the wheel offset the axis, which can make the wheel spin slower.
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.
American Ninja Warrior 13[]
American Ninja Warrior 13's Corkscrew
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.
This change, alongside the fact that more competitors were more familiar to the obstacle, 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.
Other Appearances[]
Australian Ninja Warrior[]
Australian Ninja Warrior 5's Flying Shelf Grab to Corkscrew
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. Also, each corkscrew would rotate 1.5 full revolutions and drop to the same height.
For the Flying Shelf Grab to Corkscrew, it appeared as the fifth obstacle of Heat 3.
Australian Ninja Warrior 6's Triple Corkscrew
For the Triple Corkscrew, it appeared as the eighth obstacle of Stage One. The first corkscrew spins one and a quarter revolutions, the second one only a quarter, the last one only half a revolution.
Ninja Warrior France[]
Ninja Warrior France 6's Corkscrew
On Ninja Warrior France 6, the Corkscrew, locally called La Triple Vrille (literally The Triple Twist) appeared as the fourth obstacle in Qualification 1. It is paired with the Ring Chaser as part of Route B of the Crossroads. A set of parallel bars were added at the start. The obstacle would be slightly modified for female competitors, as the wheels would not spin downwards. Instead, it would just slightly 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.
Ninja Warrior France 7's Corkscrew
Corkscrew returned in Ninja Warrior France 7 as the second obstacle of the timed section of Stage Two, with an identical configuration.
Ninja Israel[]
Ninja Israel 4's Corkscrew
On Ninja Warrior Israel 4, the Corkscrew, locally called ืืคืืชืื ืื (literally Openers) appeared as the fifth obstacle in Semifinal 2 and Semifinal 3, which was very similar to the Triple Corkscrew in Australian Ninja Warrior 5 (since the obstacle feature a pole, which was used at the start as a medium to reach the two resting bars that competitors can hold before transferring to the wheels). Unlike American Ninja Warrior, the obstacle was relatively easy, as it only eliminated 2 out of 14 competitors who attempted it.
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
Ninja Warrior Germany 6's Corkscrew
On Ninja Warrior Germany 6, Corkscrew (Korkenzieher) appeared as the seventh obstacle in Preliminary Round 4, and as the fifth obstacle in Preliminary Round 7. The obstacle was preceded by a lache bar. In Preliminary Round 4, only one competitor failed out of the ten competitors who attempted it.
Ninja Warrior Germany 7's Corkscrew
On Ninja Warrior Germany 7, Corkscrew reappeared as the second obstacle in the Second Stage, with an added trampoline. It eliminated no competitors.
Competitors' Success Rate[]
All results based on the NBC/Keshet 12 broadcast and external information found
The obstacle is named after the bottle opening tool, used to open cork bottles by driving a screw into the cork.
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.
