Daring young women build a flying machine for Flugtag

by Nikki Tundel, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — About 40,000 spectators are expected to watch the Red Bull Flugtag competition going on this afternoon on Harriet Island in St. Paul.

Flugtag, which means "flying day" in German, challenges teams to design, build and pilot homemade flying machines off a 30-foot high flight deck, in hopes of going airborne for more than a few seconds. At some point, they end up in the water below.

Flugtag competitors are judged on more than just their time in the air. Points are also given for creativity and showmanship.

We've followed one team called Chicks on a Stick as they prepared their "Flying Pickle Dog" to compete.