In Kompani Lauritzen, it is common for participants to get a ride, which has been the common thread throughout the program’s three seasons. In the latest episode, however, it was Colonel Dag Otto Lauritzen who got to drive – in a slightly different way.
After several years at Setnesmoen camp, Colonel Lauritzen wanted to give a gift to Åndalsnes, as a thank you for their hospitality in recent years. The task of finding a suitable gift, he gave to Major Kristian Ødegård.
– This gift will be handed over later today, in the middle of Åndalsnes center, he says to Lauritzen then he can reveal the gift he has come up with.
– There are lots of people who can finally see what you want to give to the city. Eventually you will appreciate it, says Ødegård as he will present the gift to Lauritzen.
Not shown on TV: Strange sound spoils the speech
– Gradually?! Now I’m really starting to wonder here, Lauritzen answers.
When Ødegård shows the colonel the gift, he is anything but happy. The gift turns out to be a bust of the colonel himself.
– Now I was completely nauseous. We can not stand there and give something like that as a gift, says a clearly cursed Lauritzen before he storms out and slams the door behind him.
See what Dag Otto thinks about the gift today in the video window at the top of the case!
Must move on the statuette
Despite Lauritzen’s dissatisfaction with the gift, it was later handed over to the people of Åndalsnes, where the mayor of Rauma Municipality was also present.
Speeches were given by both Lauritzen and the mayor of Rauma municipality, Yvonne Wold, and the bust was then unveiled outside the town hall in Åndalsnes center.
The mayor of Rauma thanks both the colonel and the rest of the company in the speech – and for the special gift.
When TV 2 asked Wold what she thought about the gift from Kompani Lauritzen, she could reveal that she thought it was both nice and creative.
– It will definitely be a selfie spot for many who follow the series, she says.
The mayor says that the people in Åndalsnes think the gift was fun, and have had several questions about the bust.
– SATISFIED: Mayor of Rauma municipality, Yvonne Wold, says she was satisfied with the creative gift. Here with Dag Otto Lauritzen when the gift was given. Photo: Matti Bernitz / TV 2
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– Many have wondered if it is made of real bronze, and if it really should stand in front of the town hall forever. The answer is that it is real, and that it will have a different, good location.
Wold says that the idea is to place it at the foot of Nebba, which is the starting point for the trip to Rampestreken, a trip the participants at Kompani Lauritzen have taken several times. Outside the tour season, the plan is to have it standing in the city’s culture house.
– Over 200,000 people have gone up there
Wold says that it has been a pleasure to have Kompani Lauritzen’s recording in Åndalsnes in recent years.
– Firstly, it is a great program, which is a lot about personal development and teamwork, and shows Rauma and Setnesmoen – as a camp for HV11 – in a brilliant way, says the mayor.
– The locals also think it’s nice with all the activity and the pleasant people we meet during the recording every year, she adds.
Wold says that the program has helped to make some of the attractions in Rauma municipality even better known, and made many people want to come to Åndalsnes to carry out the company’s activities.
– I also think this year’s season will make many people take the Rauma line here, try the gondola, experience the fjord and mountains and all the beauty we have to offer, she says.
– CONTRIBUTION TO TOURISM: Mayor Wold can reveal that Kompani Lauritzen has contributed to tourism in Åndalsnes and Rauma municipality. Pictured here with Kristian Ødegård (left) and Dag Otto Lauritzen. Photo: Matti Bernitz / TV 2
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Lauritzen also thinks it is great to know that the TV program has contributed to the popularity and tourism in Åndalsnes and Rauma municipality.
– It is fantastic to see what Kompani Lauritzen has meant for Åndalsnes and Setnesmoen. We see every day that there are people here who come to look through the fence at the camp, he says to TV 2.
He cites Rampestreken as an example, which in previous seasons has been the big challenge during the exercise «Hurramegrundt».
– The first year, well over 200,000 people had gone up there, and people had paid to borrow bags with 15 kg to do the same as the participants, the 65-year-old reveals and smiles.
– Someone also had to stand in line for three hours to get to the top and take a picture of the bridge. So it is clear that it has meant a lot to tourism – and we are proud of that, says Lauritzen.
You see Company Lauritzen on Wednesdays at 21:40 and Saturdays at 20, and when you want to watch TV 2 Play.
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