Varanger Arctic Kite Enduro (VAKE) is a long distance snow kiting competition for teams. It starts in Berlevåg, ends in Vardø and lasts for five days.
The Competition
Teams of two contestants are kiteskiing from Berlevåg across the Varanger Peninsula to Vardø. Varanger Peninsula has a varied and exciting terrain that will create abrupt changes in wind, weather and snow conditions along the route.
The teams navigate freely between mandatory checkpoints, must be self sufficient, carrying all equipment to survive in the wild for at least five days.
The route is about 200 kilometers, but the actual sailing distance can be twice as long due to the direction of the wind and the conditions of the terrain.
The Participants
We allow a maximum of 45 teams to start in Berlevåg. To be accepted for VAKE, you have to have broad experience in snow kiting and be able to kite with sled in varied and rough terrain and wind. You must be able to stay out in the cold, have experience and knowledge of winter touring equipment and know how to pitch a tent in bad weather. Knowledge of map-, compass- and GPS-navigation is also required.
The Winners
The last part of VAKE goes through the Varanger Peninsula National Park. Due to the rare and fragile population of polar foxes that lives here, only 30 teams are allowed to enter.
The 30 first teams to reach checkpoint Jakobselva (within the time-limit), can continue through the National Park and have a chance of being the new champions.
For the rest of the teams, the adventure ends at checkpoint Jakobselva. However, the first part of the route is definitely the most challenging, with mountains and deep valleys. Making it to Jakobselva is a great achievement to be proud of.
The team that crosses the finish line i Vardø first, are the winners.
The Organizers
Varanger Arctic Kite Enduro is organized by Varanger Kite Club. We are a small club with a big passion for promoting Varanger – «The Hawaii of snowkiting» – as kiting destination #1.
(Check out our web-page for more info and join our group on Facebook on Facebook to be notified when kiting happens!)
Contact us
Participant, volunteer, media, partner? E-mail at post [at] vake [dot] no.
www.facebook.com/vakefinnmark
@vakefinnmark on X and Instagram
www.flickr.com/vakefinnmark
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