The world’s largest and most gruelling snowkite contest is back! From April 9-12th over 300 snowkiters from 28 countries will gather at Hardangervidda to fight wind and weather when the fifth instalment of the legendary snowkite marathon launches yet again. There’s hunger for it too with all 320 competition spots booked in just 30 minutes for this year’s event! 

Take variable terrain, tough wind conditions, a 100 km course, and add some jet-lag on top of it all. Competitors will struggle to complete the toughest snowkite challenge on the planet, and race to be the first over the finish line. Last year 156 of 200 participants didn’t complete the contest due to difficult wind conditions.

Red Bull Ragnarok imitates the myth of an incident in Norse mythology describing the last battle between the good and evil Gods, where only the heroes survive, in the respect that only a mere few snow-kite heroes will succeed.

Endurance is paramount, and only the toughest riders will make it to the finish line. Freestylers will be favoured by having the possibility to overcome some obstacles in order to shorten the track.

Here’s a round-up video of last year’s event: 

“It was amazing fun, but also very hard. I remember thinking, ‘this is the most exhausting I have ever done’ when the five hour race was over. But even though it’s hard it’s also a great nature experience.” says Linn Jorstad, the female winner of the snowboard class last year. 

Several of the participants are travelling all the way from South-Africa, Croatia, USA and The Dominican Republic to compete in the Norwegian mountains. Denis Oksman from Brazil is coming from São Paulo to compete on snow for the first time.

“When a friend of mine told me about Red Bull Ragnarok, I thought, why not? I love to kitesurf and snowboard, so this must be a good combination. My goal is to finish the race. I think I will be worn out along the way, so it’s very important to be fit.” says Oksman. The Brazilian is coming to Geilo a few days before the contest so he can train and be ready for the real mountains to the west.

Almost one third of the racers are norwegian. Bjørn Kaupang, three time winner of the contest, missed the win last year to German Dominik Zimmerman.

“I’m hoping for more wind this year, it will suit me and my kites better.” reckons Bjørn. He’s determined to win again, fighting against well known kiters such as Ruben Lenten and Christophe Tack.

Haugastøl is also the home turf for Camilla Ringvold, national champion for several years, and last years overall female winner (she was also part of the Atlantic Challenge team). She is set on defending her title in 2015.

“It was a lot of fun last year and the kiting over the plains was amazing. It was tough but I think my long experience helped me during the difficult wind conditions.”

Anything can happen at Hardangervidda and only the toughest will have the strength to fight for the podium. 

More details here: www.redbullragnarok.com