Volkswagen rally driver races world skiing champion in Norway

What happens when the world skiing champion competes against compatriot and WRC star Andreas Mikkelsen in a unique race at the breath-taking fjord scenic location in Norway. We define this race in one single word – Amazing. This race served as a wild preparation for round eight of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) which will take place in Finland. 

Svindal and Mikkelsen were embroiled in a spectacular head-to-head sprint on the world-famous Lyseveien road in the southwest of Norway, which features 27 hairpins spread over 29 kilometres. Mikkelsen was behind the wheel of his Polo R WRC which churns out 318PS of power and 430Nm of torque, while Svindal raced on his skis.

The 26-year-old WRC star had to wind his way between massive snowbanks, some of which towered up to eight metres in height. All the time, both the racers were up against the clock. Mikkelsen tore down the hillside in his Polo at over 100kmph while Svindal produced a breath-taking jump across the road. 

“To pull that off, I had to plan the speed and timing of the jump perfectly,” explained Svindal. With insufficient snow to ski on further down the slope, Mikkelsen took Svindal on board the WRC Polo as a co-driver for the final few kilometres.  

According to Mikkelsen, Svindal was an impressive co-driver. Svindal was also thrilled with his unique taxi ride and stated that it was a priceless experience. The world skiing champion also hoped to get a chance to do that again some time.