Rachel's been to Iceland!

Rachel was unable to head to Norway with the other foxes due to a big fundraising event that she was organising for work, so instead flew to Iceland for a final fling with the kites.

She joined a fantastic group of kiting aficionados, including Rob Conway and Toby Williams of Extreme South, who will be leaving the UK in November 2006 for a kite-supported expedition to the geographic South Pole (www.extremesouth.org).

Blizzard conditions on Langiokull glacier meant that the first two days were a fustrating wait for good winds. Despite the high winds, Rachel decided that she would try to fly her smallest kite, the 3.5m Flexifoil Rage, with Rob and Toby holding her harness to weigh her down. The kite launched successfully, and all was going well until the Extreme South boys suggested taking the kite into the power zone, which Rachel happily did. The kite hit the zone, the wind whipped it violently forward, and Rachel was dragged for 15m along the tundra with Rob and Toby still valiantly holding on. Rachel finally brought the kite down - and now respects the full power of a small kite in strong winds (and has a bump on her head to prove it!).

The storms finally cleared and Rachel was able to play with the Blade III 8.5m, 6.6m and the Rage on the glacier, successfully using the 6.6 to power her up hill on skis. The Iceland glacier offered a huge, clear play area for kiters, and Reykjavic provided excellent clubs for those who enjoy some dancing to accompany their kiting!