Kärnan (roller coaster)
Kärnan (extensively known as The Oath of Kärnan ("Der Schwur des Kärnan")) is a steel roller coaster at Hansa-Park, located in Sierksdorf, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Manufactured by Gerstlauer, a premier manufacturer of roller coasters in the European Union, the roller coaster is the only full-circuit hypercoaster with inversions in Europe.
| Der Schwur des Kärnan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Hansa-Park | |
| Location | Hansa-Park |
| Coordinates | 54.0769°N 10.78°E |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | July 1, 2015 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel |
| Manufacturer | Gerstlauer |
| Designer | Werner Stengel |
| Model | Hypercoaster |
| Track layout | Terrain |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
| Height | 73 m (240 ft) |
| Drop | 67 m (220 ft) |
| Length | 1,235 m (4,052 ft) |
| Speed | 127 km/h (79 mph) |
| Inversions | 1 |
| Max vertical angle | 90° |
| G-force | 5 |
| Height restriction | 130 cm (4 ft 3 in) |
| Trains | 3 trains with 4 cars. Riders are arranged 4 across in a single row for a total of 16 riders per train. |
| Der Schwur des Kärnan at RCDB Pictures of Der Schwur des Kärnan at RCDB | |
History
Kärnan was first announced by Hansa Park in November 2013, following an extensive planning and development stage. Gerstlauer were chosen to manufacture the coaster, Kärnan being their first installation over 200-foot (61 m) in height. It will also be the third consecutive Gerstlauer coaster to feature in the park, following Fluch von Novgorod and Die Schlange von Midgard.[1]
Construction began on the tower element that will house the vertical lift hill in April 2014, with the tower itself being topped off in September 2014. Hansa Park confirmed that the coaster will feature a dark ride section with an inversion. Kärnan also has a 30-meter vertical reverse freefall drop during the vertical lift, a world first on a full-circuit roller coaster.
Kärnan officially opened to the public on 1 July 2015, pending further addition of theming which will be completed by 2016.[2]
Characteristics
Trains
Kärnan operates with 16 seat trains, laid out in 4 rows of 4, with lap bar restraints. These are the same type of trains and restraints as found on Gerstlauer's Infinity Coasters, such as Karacho at Tripsdrill.
Reaction
Kärnan has received mostly positive reviews, with coaster enthusiasts praising its layout and elements, along with the theming.
Theme
Kärnan's theme is based around the real life medieval tower, Kärnan, found in Helsingborg, Sweden.
References
- "Hansa Park Opening Hypercoaster in 2015". Coaster101. Coaster 101. November 22, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- "Pure thrills: In Sierksdorf is Germany's highest roller coaster". Sat.1 Regional. Sat.1 Regional. July 1, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2015.