EXTREME SNOW KITEBOARDING. Two hundred of the world’s best kite riders descended on Norway’s snowy mountain plains this weekend for the 2012 edition of the toughest snowkite endurance race on the planet – Red Bull Ragnarok. After around 70km of energy-sapping racing, top spot in the men’s ski and snowboard categories went to local riders Bjørn Kaupang (NOR) and Remi Muem (NOR), with Malin Rapp (SWE) making it a Scandinavian clean-sweep by taking victory in the women’s mixed event.

Dompert Peter from Sweden performs during the Red Bull Ragnarok in Haugastol, Norway on April 13th, 2012, photo © Daniel Grund/Red Bull

HAUGASTØL (Norway) – Steady winds of 15-20 knots and excellent snow cover meant that conditions were perfect on the mountain course dotted with natural obstacles such as ravines, drifts, rocks, hills and ice. In a race worthy of the mythical battle between good and evil Norse gods which gave Red Bull Ragnarok its name, the 200 riders were set the challenge of completing five laps of the 8.5km circuit. Joining a contingent of hardcore local heroes on the start line were famous faces such as Dutch kitesurfing star Ruben Lenten and Brazilian Reno Romeu, who had snowboarded only twice before.

Competitors get ready for the start during the Red Bull Ragnarok in Haugastol, Norway on April 13th, 2012, photo © Daniel Grund/Red Bull

Competitors perform during the Red Bull Ragnarok in Haugastol, Norway on April 13th, 2012, photo © Daniel Grund/Red Bull

As in previous years it was the Scandinavian riders who dominated events on their home territory, with reigning snowkite freestyle world champion Remi Muem taking victory in the men’s snowboard category and 2010 winner Bjørn Kaupang defending his title in the men’s ski race. Kitesurfer Malin Rapp once again made the successful transition from the waves to frozen water by taking first place in the women’s mixed race. Interest in Red Bull Ragnarok 2012 was huge, with 400 kiters on the waiting list for this year’s event.

Hauge Morten from Norway performs during the Red Bull Ragnarok in Haugastol, Norway on April 13th, 2012, photo © Daniel Grund/Red Bull

Haakanes Stein competes during the Red Bull Ragnarok in Haugastol, Norway on April 13th, 2012, photo © christianblack.com/Red Bull

Remi Meum from Norway, winner of the Snoboard Category, performs during the Red Bull Ragnarok in Haugastol, Norway on April 13th, 2012, photo © Daniel Grund/Red Bull

Competitor perform during the Red Bull Ragnarok in Haugastol, Norway on April 13th, 2012, photo © Daniel Grund/Red Bull

Winner Bjorn Kaupang from Norway ( right ) followed by Faksvag Jorgen from Norway ( left ) perform during the Red Bull Ragnarok in Haugastol, Norway on April 13th, 2012, photo © Daniel Grund/Red Bull

Robin Alex from France performs during the Red Bull Ragnarok in Haugastol, Norway on April 13th, 2012, photo © Daniel Grund/Red Bull

“Conditions were great, so the race was closer than ever. Last year there were 30 minutes between first and second, but today the gap was only a minute. That makes it extra special to have won,” commented an exhausted Kaupang. “I packed a big backpack with lots of supplies, including chocolate and a compass. Luckily I didn’t need it during the race,” smiled women’s winner Rapp. Reno Romeu, who completed impressive 1.5 laps on his snowkite debut, was blown away by the skills and strength of the Scandinavian riders: “The locals are amazing,” commented the Brazilian kitesurf pro.

© Red Bull Media House
16.04.2012

200 of the world’s best kite riders went head to head in the epic Norse battle that is Red Bull Ragnarok...

RESULTS

Men Snowboard:
1. Remi Meum (NOR)
2. Christian Juell (NOR)
3. Marius Coucheron (NOR)

Men Ski
1. Bjørn Kaupang (NOR)
2. Alexandr Palekhin (RUS)
3. Nils Arne Ro (NOR)

Women Mixed
1. Malin Rapp (SWE)
2. Mila Polyakova (RUS)
3. Ingeborg Ims Winther (NOR)

Remi Meum winner, Juell Christian 2nd and Marius Coucheron 3rd pose at the prize giving of Red Bull Ragnarok in Haugastol, Norway on April 13th, 2012, photo © christianblack.com/Red Bull

Bjorn Kaupang winner (skis) and Ro Nils Arne 3rd (skis) celebrate at the prize giving of Red Bull Ragnarok in Haugastol, Norway on April 13th, 2012, photo © christianblack.com/Red Bull

Malin Rapp winner of the girls and Winther Ingeborg Ims 3rd place celebrate during the prize giving of Red Bull Ragnarok in Haugastol, Norway on April 13th, 2012, photo © christianblack.com/Red Bull

Winner Malin Rapp (right) and 3rd Winter Ingeborg Ims ( left ) pose at the Prize Giving Ceremony of the Red Bull Ragnarok in Haugastol, Norway on April 13th, 2012, photo © Daniel Grund/Red Bull