toledoblade.com --

SANDUSKY - A new twister was unleashed yesterday, delivering a topsy-turvy, forward-backward, full-speed-ahead kind of thrill ride.

Reaching high into the Cedar Point skyline, the $9 million Wicked Twister made its debut as the amusement park's 15th roller coaster. Touted as the world's tallest and fastest double-twisting impulse roller coaster, it rockets riders forward more than 200 feet in the air at a 450-degree angled twist.

Then, riders go backward, with speeds reaching 72 mph. And forward again.

"It's great, fantastic. It's unusual, unique - unique is a good word," explained John Biacofsky, 57, a member of American Coaster Enthusiasts. "It twists at both ends, which makes it one of a kind."

Yesterday, media and coaster fanatics had the chance to test the newest attraction, which opens Sunday along with the rest of Cedar Point. Screams erupted from riders seated in the suspended cars as they were launched from the loading station. In seconds, they reached speeds exceeding 50 mph.

The $9 million Wicked Twister is touted as the world's tallest and fastest double-twisting impulse roller coaster.

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"I love it from start to finish," said Dan Haverlock, 23, a student at Cleveland State University. "I just can't get enough of it."

Jeff Armbruster traveled to the opening event from Saginaw, Mich., about 31/2 hours away. He and wife, Dana, were there at 5:15 a.m. to get a ride on the coaster before the official ribbon was even cut.

Mr. Armbruster stood, sat, and squatted in various spots with the new coaster towering behind him. Mrs. Armbruster shot photos of her husband in front of his latest conquest.

"This makes it 100 different coasters I've ridden at Cedar Point and other amusement parks," said Mr. Armbruster, 27, a telephone network manager and member of Coasterbuzz, a group of roller coaster fans. "I think it's an amazing coaster. The best part is the fast launch."

Designed by Intamin AG of Switzerland - of Millennium Force fame - the Wicked Twister accommodates about 1,000 riders an hour.

Looming high above the park's Giant Wheel, the brightly colored coaster brought cheers from wind-blown riders as they were brought back to earth.

The track reaches 215 feet into the air at both ends and offers riders a 206-foot drop. The twin twisting towers are what is so unique about the ride, enthusiasts said, and are what makes it so exhilarating.

"It seems like a minor detail, but it makes a world of difference," said Jeff Putz, 28, president of POP World Media, which created Coasterbuzz.com. "I've been in the front, back, and middle [of the coaster], and the back is the money spot."

That was the consensus among coaster enthusiasts at Cedar Point. They claimed sitting in the last seats was the wickedest part of the thrill ride. That's because there riders were propelled high in the air without the benefit of seeing what was ahead of them.

But Mr. Biacofsky said he enjoyed the view from the front seat.

"I like the effect, the visual effect, of the front," said Mr. Biacofsky, a corporate accountant from the Cleveland area. "You actually feel like you'll touch the end of the track."

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