When you work in Lapland there are limited after-work activities (other than drinking-and at £10 a pint this is an expensive hobby) which do not involve the risk of actual bodily harm.
The Kaunispaa in Saariselka is claimed to be Europe’s longest toboggan run and provides a sufficient “run up” to the ramp at the bottom (which is in fact a ramp to stop stray tobogganers from flying into the main road, ideally situated at the bottom). In the video below my fellow elf and friend, the amazing Laura, demonstrates bravery, sportsmanship, imagination and driving skills to navigate the run in the dark(which is all the time in Lapland) and to finish with a video worthy photo.
We believed that she had been watching Father Christmas training with the reindeers and thought she would give the “flying-mallarkey” a try for herself. Some would say she was utilising her initiative in order to give the reindeers a helping hand with a one elf open toboggan.
However, elves are not known for their ability to foresee danger (and before you say it NO we did not assess the ‘Elf and Safety beforehand), and it had not snowed for several days and it had been extremely cold. Such factors make for the 1.2km of toboggan run to become a vertical ice rink, of which Laura was descending at an unhumanly rapid speed, negotiating the hair pins, bridges and trees. She arrived at the bottom before she had left the top, and when she did I was poised ready with the camera on video mode,prepared to capture the first images of a flying elf.
I am sure you will appreciate the encouragement I showed for Laura “COME ON LAURA”, as she approaches the kicker at the bottom, I yell. We had half expected her to curb her speed before hitting it, but being the courageous soul that she is, she gained speed instead. Not one of us anticipated what was to happen next, let alone that there was any possibility of there being any form of problem, its TOBOGGANNING for Pete’s sake! Children do it!
With our eyes wide with awe, cameras ready, we watched (what used to be)5ft 4 inches of elf fly through the air with such grace you would be correct in comparing her to a gazelle mid run, for what felt like minutes. And then she landed. Still sitting bolt upright. Her spine concertina-ing as her sledge hit the solid ice. We whooped and cheered and then shouted at her to get out the way before being hit by Nick (also heading for the Ramp-of-death).
I have to admit that I was still laughing when I realised that she was quite badly hurt. Laura, wheezing, squeaking and crying, was visibly damaged. It wasn’t until she stood up (I laughed as she tried to stand up too) that we could see the extent of the situation. As she got back onto her feet it became immediately clear that in that moment of landing she had lost VALUABLE inches of her height and the fear that she had cracked a rib, if not multiple ribs,punctured a lung and /or broken her back. Despite this, I laughed the whole way home, replaying the scene in my head, whilst the boys held her solidly so not to trip and lose another few inches on the way.
By the time we returned to Lumpaloma (our cabin) she could barely be seen at all. When our friends asked what had happened it just seemed to be the sensible thing to show the video. I could never describe the event as accurately as the video. I suggested that she should be getting medical assistance (regardless of the comedy mileage it was giving us I was still concerned for her life) and that we ought to bring the laptop to show the doctor exactly how she fell. However, the local hospital is 3 hours away and it was decided the best action was for her to not move.
Over a year later and she still suffers from a concerning pain in her lung when she lies flat, a damaged ego and the once in a lifetime experience of self propelled flying.
I have decided to share this video because today was not one of the best and this a fool-proof way of making it much better. Thanks Laura.
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