Obstacle Course Event Continues

Today, we continue with the semifinal round of the Obstacle Course.

Our Obstacle Course hopes to be a good test for the reindeer when they lead Santa’s sleigh all over the world on Christmas Eve. In this event, the reindeer will make their way through some falling snow, fly over a hill, land on a small house and then take off to the finish line in Santa’s Workshop Arena.

Santa’s elves have put together a giant snowmaking machine just for the event.

In today’s semifinal, Dasher, Blitzen, Vixen and Comet will each take a shot at the course, and the top two will move on to the final round tomorrow. The winner will earn the seventh gold medal of the Reindeer Games.

First up is Dasher. She’s at the starting line, the flag is up and she’s off!

Dasher has a nice takeoff, and she’s heading through the snow. So far, so good! He makes a nice landing on the house and then a good second take-off, as well.

“Dasher is looking very good so far,” says Rudolph. “He’s doing a super job.”

Indeed. Dasher makes his way quickly into the Arena, and he’s across the finish line. His time is 22.4 seconds, which is very good. That will be a tough time to beat.

Next up is Blitzen. Blitzen, too, has a good take-off and is having a smooth run. He’s through the snow, onto the house and he takes off again and does so very well. He’s across the line in 22.8 seconds, good for second place so far.

“Very good job by Blitzen,” says Rudolph. “The reindeer are doing a fine job.”

Next up is Vixen. Vixen takes off, and she’s heading through the snow. She’s over the hill and makes a nice landing. And now for the second takeoff. Vixen makes her move, and, oh, wait, she’s having a little trouble. Vixen can’t quite get herself going, and she’s slipping off the edge of the house!

“Oh, no, she’s falling toward the ground,” says Rudolph. “She begins to fly now but not quickly enough. She lands in the snow softly and is not hurt. Vixen is ok – she’s not hurt – but she won’t have a chance to win this event.”

Oh my, that’s a surprise. The reindeer usually do so well in each event. But Vixen is up quickly, and she’s heading to the finish line. She’s across in 45.2 seconds. A good job by Vixen to finish the event.

“Yes, indeed,” says Rudolph. “Sometimes we think the reindeer never make any mistakes. But they are not perfect. They make mistakes many times. What’s important though, is that they keep trying. They do not give up. That’s very important. I think Vixen did a great job here. Perhaps she didn’t have a perfect run, but she finished and did the best she could. And she will do better next time, for sure, because she did not give up.”

Indeed she will. She did her best and will do much better next time.

And now for Comet, who is at the starting line now. Comet takes off and is having a good run. He is over the hill, onto the house and he takes off again. He’s across the line in 22.9 seconds. Oh, that’s a good time, and very close to the top two, Dasher and Blitzen, but it's Dasher and Blitzen who will move on to the final round.

Check back tomorrow when Dasher and Blitzen race for the seventh gold medal of this year's Reindeer Games.