Russia zorbing thrill ride turns tragic MOSCOW What was supposed to be a thrilling ride down a ski slope inside a giant inflatable ball has ended in tragedy for the two Russian men inside. One died and the other was badly injured when the transparent plastic ball - called a zorb - veered off course and sailed over a precipice in the rugged Caucasus Mountains of southern Russia. The men's terrifying ride - captured on video - prompted the head of the national emergency rescue services Wednesday to demand that Russia address its lax enforcement of safety rules for winter sports, citing a series of accidents over the January holidays. The sport of zorbing originated in the 1990s in New Zealand and is now done around the world.