A journey from Prague to Paris in seven days – with only the energy drink Red Bull as currency awaits three students from Lund, who, as of last Tuesday, will participate in the competition “Red Bull – Can You Make It?”.
165 teams made up of students from over 50 countries will, starting April 12, travel across Europe – with only Red Bull to aid them. Three of the participating students come from Lund University.
Elin Söderbergh, Fredrik Välme and Rasmus Bergman are all three active in Västgöta Nation, and will in the upcoming week try getting from the starting point in Prague to the final destination in Paris. But the journey will not be made in the conventional way.
Trade should suffice
As of last Tuesday, Red Bull is the trio’s only currency. Their journey shall be made possible by bartering with the energy drink, in order to pay for travel, lodging and food. The use of money is prohibited and would result in disqualification.
“In worst case there will be a lot of hitchhiking with cars and trucks. But when it comes to trains you can try to ask around and be nice. It’s about using your charm and being creative”, says Fredrik Välme and adds:
“There will probably be a lot of ad hoc-solutions to this. But it will be exciting”.
The journey is not the goal
But it is not the journey itself that is the goal. During the upcoming week, Fredrik, Elin and Rasmus will be competing against the other 164 teams by doing different tasks that each awards points.
“Parachuting could award 50 points and trading a Red Bull for a banana could be ten points”, explains Fredrik Välme.
He describes the competition itself as an obvious marketing project, but at the same time he sees the chance to get an exciting experience.
“The main thing is to have a sick trip – it’s a really fun event”, and describes the trio’s goals for the week:
“We want to go skiing in the Alps and be able to swim in the Mediterranean Sea”.
The competition will be broadcasted on Red Bull’s web page and live-streamed at several nations. It will finish next Tuesday, April 19, and you can follow the team from Lund here.
Translation: Viktor Jönsson
