Flug What? Flugtag!

Yesterday Ian and I went to Flugtag 2007. This is the second time it has come to Austin, TX and boy does it draw a huge crowd – this year it brought in 60,000 people. But what is it? (Remember to rally see the photos click on them and they will open up much bigger.)

Flugtag is "is an event in which competitors attempt to fly in homemade flying machines." The first Flugtag was held in Austria in 1991. It has become very popular. And the teams enter because (1) they actually think their contraption will fly, (2) they want to do a dance rendition in front of 60K people, or (3) they want to get hammered and jump off a 30t pier in to the water.

The event opened with sky-diving-acrobats! It was sooooooo cool!


Our friend, French, sponsored the Congress Bridge Bats Team. The team was made up of a bunch of engineers and was there to remind everyone that next week is the annual Bat Fest. Here is the bridge going up the launch...
About to take off...
And then in the water...
Teams come from all around; this one "Karl Sucks" is a team of five Minnesotan women who tried to fly a vacuum.
It is important to note, no offense to the Minnesotans, but if you really want it to fly, wings are necessary.
But, not a guarantee:
Overall, the day was wonderful (even if it was 100F). There was a great breeze and beautiful sun set.
The Bat Bridge won the People’s Choice Award.

And it was a great people watching event. Here are a few more shots:

A triple story stacker to get the best view!

To tell the teams that the water was all clear a funny little dude waved the Rastafarian flag which apparently means: "smoke um if you got um!"
Some teams were just in it to have fun, these three guys "Rock, Paper and Scissors" played the game to see who would jump first and then they just ran off the edge.
The pirates were awesome!
But, nothing topped the Irish "Get Lucky" team. They used a rope tied around the base to make the shamrock spin and then pushed it off the pier while it was going round and round (it was like an Irish spaceship!)
The judges loved it.
There was even a special appearance by Leslie (you all remember him!!!).
Here is Leslie going overboard!
Seriously, this is a flying fish taco. Fish tacos are VERY popular in Austin. (They are normally served with a cabbage slaw and mango salsa).
Next time Flugtag comes to town I am going to convince ISSB to rent a canoe and watch from the water.