Taiga (roller coaster)
Taiga is a steel roller coaster located at the Linnanmäki amusement park in Helsinki, Finland. Taiga is the tallest tallest (52m), fastest (106km/h) and longest (1,104m) roller coaster in Finland.[2]
| Taiga | |
|---|---|
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| Linnanmäki | |
| Location | Linnanmäki |
| Coordinates | 60°11′18.64″N 24°56′20.68″E |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | June 18, 2019 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel – Launched |
| Manufacturer | Intamin |
| Model | Blitz Coaster |
| Lift/launch system | Linear synchronous motor Launch |
| Height | 170.6 ft (52.0 m) |
| Drop | 105 ft (32 m) |
| Length | 3,622 ft (1,104 m) |
| Speed | 65.9 mph (106.1 km/h) |
| Inversions | 4 |
| Duration | 1:05[1] |
| Capacity | 860 riders per hour |
| G-force | 2.6 |
| Height restriction | 55 in (140 cm) |
| Taiga at RCDB Pictures of Taiga at RCDB | |
History
Linnanmäki announced in early 2018, after a series of teaser social media posts, that the park was to build "its greatest ride project ever". This was to be a launched roller coaster built by Swiss manufacturer Intamin, and would surpass each of the records of height, length and speed held to date by Finnish roller coasters.[3] The coaster replaced the park's longstanding Premier Rides water coaster, Vonkaputous.
Ride experience
The ride starts with a rolling LSM launch out of the station which leads into a twisted dive drop, followed by a series of banked right and left handed sweeping turns. Following these, the train arrives at the coaster's second and final launch: here the train is launched to the rides' top speed of 106.1 kilometres per hour (65.9 mph) up to a 52 metres (171 ft) top hat, before pulling down to the right into an inverted airtime hill. The train then navigates a small airtime hill before rising into a large immelman loop. A further series of right and left handed S-bends leads the coaster to its final inversion, a zero-g roll after which it reaches the brake run and station.[4]
Theme
The name Taiga derives from a Russian word that refers to boreal or snow forests - which make up much of Finland's geography. These are areas of land that mostly comprise of pine, spruce, and larch trees. The ride's theme is primarily based around a nesting eagle (which can be seen on the front of the train), which makes regular observation flights from its nest around the park.[5]
References
- "Taiga - POV - Linnanmäki - Intamin - LSM Coaster - Onride/Offride". Retrieved 28 June 2020.
- "Taiga – Linnanmäki, Finland". Retrieved 28 June 2020.
- "Linnanmäki Amusement Park, in Helsinki, Finland, announces their biggest roller coaster project ever: Taiga is Getting Ready to Launch!". 22 March 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
- "Taiga - POV - Linnanmäki - Intamin - LSM Coaster - Onride/Offride". Retrieved 28 June 2020.
- "Take to the sky on Taiga at Linnanmäki". Retrieved 28 June 2020.