A number of years ago, my family got caught up in a televised event that we found a tiny bit odd right out of the gate but as we watched, it hooked us in and we haven't been the same since. We are "Flugtag Fans"--observers of the craziest, dare I say sport, out there. For the uninitiated, Flugtag is the brainchild of Dietrich Mateschitz, owner of Red Bull. (a carbonated energy drink). Flugtag is a competition if you will, between homemade human flying machines that are launched off a pier about 30 feet high with contestants ending up in an appropriate depth of water in order to avoid as much personal injury as possible. I say this because experience has shown that as wonderful and crazy and zany as these men and their flying machines are, none have actually gone airborne. Surprising, I know.
The first Flugtag (which by the way means flying day in German), was held way back in 1991 in Vienna, Austria. Its early success has made it a yearly event with competitions in 35 cities around the world. Teams that enter Flugtag are judged in three catagories: distance, creativity and showmanship. Notice, actually flying is not a requirement but would be an added bonus. Each flying machine must have a wingspan of 30 feet and a maximum weight of 450lbs including the pilot. It must be powered by muscle, gravity and imagination. Since the aircraft and competitors land in water, it must float and be constructed from environmentally friendly materials.
I bring this to your attention as on my walk this morning, I saw the beginnings of the launching pier being built up at North Street Beach. Yes, Chicago is one of the cities lucky enough to have its very own Flugtag event which is this Saturday, September 6th, with gates opening at 11:00am. Seriously, you should try to come out as it looks like so much fun. I have never seen it live so will be parking my rear on the beach early enough to get a good seat. Hope to see you there.
One last thought: Red Bull has nothing on this idea. Leonardo da Vinci was all over it years ago!!
Red Bull Flugtag Competition
Saturday, September 6, 2008
North Street Beach
Gates open at 11:00am
Additional information: redbullflugtagusa.com
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