Swedish Press July/August 2013 Vol 84:06

Page 18

Lifestyle Top Sju

4 Gotland Medieval Week – a Top Event

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Volvo Takes the Lead with Bi-fuel Car The Volvo Car Group recently unveiled its new bi-fuel car, featuring Westport Innovations’ natural gas fuel system, in Sweden. The Volvo V60 Bi-Fuel car is able to run on either compressed natural gas or gasoline and has a 213-horsepower engine and a driving range of 1,120 km. “Demand for natural gas vehicles in Sweden is expected to increase in response to the pending extension of the Government of Sweden’s alternative fuel tax incentive program,” said Westport executive vice-president Ian Scott. The number of natural gas vehicles in Sweden is expected to triple by 2018, from 31,000 to 92,000.

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scheduled to begin on July 4 and continue into September, was thrown into doubt after its 72-foot (22-meter) catamaran capsized and broke apart on May 9 during a training session, the second time one of the controversial multi-hulled boats has flipped in San Francisco Bay. The Artemis accident killed British Olympian Andrew Simpson, who was trapped underwater by the wreckage, and raised questions about the fundamental soundness of the huge, lightweight boats, which can reach speeds of close to 50 miles per hour (80 km/h).

3 Londoners Keep Fit Swedish-style Homesick expats and lovers of all things Swedish can now keep fit Swedish-style, thanks to Friskis & Svettis classes opening across the British capital. There are now seven ‘Swedercise’, or ‘Healthy & Sweaty’ instructors in London, running old-school, back to basics workout classes in the classic red Friskis & Svettis uniform. Just like when the organization started in Sweden in the Seventies, classes are non-profit and so cost a very reasonable $7.75 per session.

Sweden’s Artemis to Stay in America’s Cup Sweden’s Artemis Racing Team will remain in the America’s Cup sailing regatta following a fatal accident last month, but said it will not be ready in time for the start of preliminary races scheduled for early July. The participation of Artemis in the regatta,

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AC72 testing in San Francisco. Photo © Sander van der Borch/Artemis Racing

For eight days in August (4-11), Gotland will be transported back to the Middle Ages. Knights clash in jousting tournaments, there are medieval markets and music, theatre and lectures, all in the historic setting of Visby, a magnificent walled town that was formerly a Hanseatic town and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. www. medeltidsveckan.se.

5 Top Ten Swedish Foods Now here is an interesting top 10 list following in the food theme of this issue. If a non-Swede, after living in Sweden for a number of years left Sweden, what food would they miss – here is a list that we have borrowed from the website semiswede.com. In general the list is about things that would be difficult to get outside Sweden – without seeking out a specialty store or Swedish traditional


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