Red Bull Flugtag: It does give you wings: Santa, Pokemons and fighter jet jump off 20ft platform into a lake during Red Bull Flight Day 2013 Thousands gather for Red Bull Flugtag competition in Stockholm Teams attempt to see their home-made 'plane' fly the furthest Designs this year included a wolf, a Pokemon and a jetplace By Sara Malm Where would you see Santa Claus ride a be-winged ginger bread house into a lake from a 20ft platform, in front of a screaming crowd? Why, in Sweden, of course! Thousands gathered on banks and bridges in central Stockholm to cheer on the contestants in this year's Red Bull Flugtag competition - who all needed both cheering and a towel. Where is Rudolf?: Team Gingerbread Express competes in Red Bull Flugtag in Stockholm where home made 'airplanes' are launched off a platform into lake Malaren Across the skies: The 'Isbergssallad af Riddarfjarden' team competes with their Nyan-cat inspired boat-plane machine in a bid to snatch the coveted winners title Good thing he's thirsty: Team Thristy Wolf heads straight for the water after its wheeled canine is launched off the platform The annual competition, named for the German word for Flight Day, sees teams of up to five people 'fly' their home made vessels off a six metre platform in a bid to see which can stay airborne the longest before crashing into the water below. The teams - four helpers and a pilot - are free to take inspiration from the furthest corners of their imagination when designing their machine, as long as its wingspan does not exceed ten metres (33ft). This year, designs included the 'Hungry Wolf', a Swedish Royal Airforce fighter jet and a gingerbread house piloted by a native hero (at least if you ask a Swede) - Santa Claus. Military power: A vessel designed to look like a jet from the Swedish Royal Airforce crashed shortly after takeoff, despite being supported by a leggy Swedish blonde Crowd pleasers: The teams are not only judged on the design and flight capacity of their vessels but also on how well they entertain the audience Howl at the moon: Both the space race inspired team and team Thirsty Wolf inevitably ended up in the water in front of the cheering crowds No Magi-karpet: Pokemon inspired team Magikarp may have questioned the use of a water Pokemon when trying to stay in the air For real: Team 'Real Riders' fail to break the record for longest airborne as one of the pilots braces himself for a wet landing Flip side: A 'Real Rider' takes what can only be described as an unexpected turn on his way towards the water The "airplanes" may not be powered by motors, rockets, batteries or elastic bands, the success of the vessel relies entirely on the team's design ability and pushing power on the platform. The teams are judged by the length of the flight, creativity of design of the vessel and their ability to entertain the crowds - and judging by some of the methods used by the teams in Stockholm the competition was fierce. Stockholm put up 27 teams for this years Red Bull Flugtag, an international competition, the first of which was held in Wien in 1992. Rules for competitors? Ability to swim at least 100metres and wear your helmet. Off we go: The vessels are launched off a 20ft platform by the teams with the aim of staying airborne for as long as possible Big jump: The pilot from the innovatively named 'Ilikeitdirty' team flies off the handle and into the lake Company men: Two Red Bull inspired teams - The Bullet and Red Bull Airlines, take the plunge Round and round it goes: Even those with a more unusual shaped vessel found that no wheel-power could keep them out of the chilly waters Fight or flight: Nearly 30 teams competed in Stockholm on Sunday in front of thousands of cheering fans