Through the air. Torre del Mar was a true giant. It was opened in 2005 and was then considered the highest carousel in the world. Including flagpole, the tower came to a total height of 70 meters. From afar, the construction resembled a free-fall tower. But on closer inspection you recognized the typical swing ride seats. The chassis was trimmed with a red and yellow tarpaulin, which gave a fantastic picture even from afar.
But the cozy sight, which one suspected from below, was deceptive. The ride was tough. With 70 km/h the wind swept around the ears. Even on hot days it was really cold up there.
Torre del Mar was not comparable to other high-speed rides of this caliber. The Austrian manufacturer "Funtime" has completely omitted shoulder harness for this ride, and instead has developed a more modern version based on the chair-o-plane gondolas. Torre del Mar was closer to flying than many other attractions, and still offered high security in the seat. About a lap belt guests were fixed in the seat, which was also the only direct hedge. The typical aluminum handle, which is incorporated into the chain, has been extended by a magnetic lock. Once the gondola was in the air, this lock could not be opened.
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But despite the impressive ride height of 63 meters, Torre del Mar was hunted down the title "highest flight carousel in the world" shortly after one year, from his 10-meter-tall brother, the Star Flyer "Himmelskibet" in the Danish amusement park Tivoli in Copenhagen. The current highest of its kind is currently in the American Six Flags Park New England, with a height of 125 meters, and is called Sky Screamer.
But even without a world record Torre del Mar remained, with its special panorama one of the most beautiful flight carousel in its class, until he was retired at the end of the 2015 season. As justification for the early reduction after only 10 years, HANSA-PARK called changed wind conditions due to the construction of the KÄRNAN tower. Due to the wide facade of the KÄRNAN, the winds around Torre del Mar were so turbulent that the safety systems of the tower ride had to intervene more and more frequently.[gallery]
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