Tallest Bonfire to be built

Barely three days left to Slinning fire should be lit, and youngsters on the point stacks of hard life. Jon Helge Ødegård is the bottom link in the chain PHOTO: Steel WATTØ / Sunnmørsposten

“We have been working since April” said Sophie Knutsen.

This afternoon the fire was 28 meters high, but the gang would expect that they will reach 33 feet during the night.

The goal is to build a fire at 40 meters by midsummer. In this case, the old record passed by several meters. It is held by Skjervabålet, which measured 37.84 meters, also constructed in Aalesund, specifically in Skutvik.

Over 30 workers

Since its modest beginning in April, more and more volunteers have signed up to build the fire. And we needed to build a fire six by six meters wide and 40 meters high, which requires effort.

We are now around 30 people standing on the wall and lifting up the pallets, plus we have people in the top of the fire and on the ground, doing their part,” said Sophie Knutsen.

To build large bonfires on Slinningen is a tradition in Ålesund. Knutsen has even helped to build a fire when she was only 12 years. Today she is 22

We have tried to build the biggest bonfire every year, but has always lacked either people or materials. This year there are plenty of everything, “she laughs.

This year they have materials sponsored by various companies. Many that help to build the fire have access to trucks and trailers, and transported to the thousands of pallets to the fire.

Built on a peninsula

Because of the size, we should use a place where there is little danger to people or buildings. Therefore, the peninsula Slinningen been building sites for the traditional bonfire for several years.

We have talked to the police, and have received helmets and harnesses to improve safety.

When the fire is to be lit up people have to leave the area because of security.

But it will probably appear, says Knutsen.

Slinningen located about five minutes outside Ålesund, and the fire may well be seen from the city.

Not for people with a fear of heights

The fire is in its final phase, and the gang are now the latest building, which will decide whether there will be a record or not.

This means that individual must climb up to the top to unload pallets. Knutsen says that some are struggling with fear of heights, but that she is not one of them.

I can build in the top, yes, she assures.

Source: Aftenposten