Valravn debuted to media

SANDUSKY — Matt Ouimet kept our date.Wednesday was media day at Cedar Point, giving journalists and broadcasters the chance to ride the new dive coaster, Valravn.I walked through the new marina gate for Valravn and there was the Cedar Fair CEO.Ouimet was, in reality, giving an interview to a television crew. I like to think, however, he was waiting for me.Ouimet and I rode GateKeeper together when it debuted three years ago after he had made me a promise a week earlier to do so.We did it again for Valravn, despite his busy schedule."I kept my promise," Ouimet said after his interview was done."You remembered," I teased.We walked past everyone who was waiting.Jeff Putz of Point Buzz joined us.Erin and Ian Kilpatrick spied Ouimet as we waited for the next coaster train.The mother and son team are with the Beaver County Times in Beaver, Pa.Erin approached him. She told Ouimet how much she loved the park and how much she was a fan of the changes he made.In true Ouimet style, he gave others the credit."Thank you. I have a great team," he replied.Ian will see a lot of Cedar Point this summer as he will be working as part of the Rip Cord crew. Rip Cord, found in Challenge Park, simulates flight.It was time for our ride and we took our seats with me sitting between Ouimet and Putz.The coaster started to climb."As we got to the flat part on top the views are incredible, all the coasters are in front of you," Ouimet said.He was right.But, after four seconds that view went away as we plunged 90 degrees and I was looking straight at the ground rushing up at me.My eyes involuntarily closed.Ouimet must have noticed because, as we pulled out of the dive, he asked if I was OK."Yes"The ride continued thorough a second dive and loops.I found the great ride very smooth. My head did not get boxed around one time. I would suggest that everyone ride it.Ouimet had to go and apologized as he left us.Putz had already rode Valravn twice. As we walked off the ride, he shared his thoughts."It is fantastic, it exceeds expectations. The forces on it are unexpected," he said. "The roll at the end of the second dive was unexpected. I love the way you float through it."His advice to first-time riders?"The back is more intense for both vertical drops, but you can't beat the view from the front," Putz said.Cedar Fair CEO Matt Ouimet holds two thumbs up during a ride on Valravn on Wednesday. Cedar Point welcomed the media to preview the park's new record breaking coaster for 2016 Valravn.