THE 1 MILLION DOWNLOAD CHALLENGE

The Story

Before the weekend, Opera's CEO, Jon S. von Tetzchner boldy proclaimed at a company meeting that if download numbers of Opera 8 reached 1 million within four days he would swim from Norway to the USA [press release]. Opera's communications department could not resist the temptation, and made his statement public. As any respectable CEO and gentlemen, Mr. Tetzchner stands by his word.

DOWNLOADS: 1,050,000 : Target reached by April 23 09:00 CET!

I want to thank each and every one of the one million plus people who have downloaded Opera 8 over the last days. I am proud to say that this is the most successful browser launch in the ten-year history of Opera. I have received numerous requests over the weekend on whether or not I am going to swim to the USA should we reach one million downloads. Although I blatantly admit that my promise was based more on joy and enthusiasm than my swimming abilities and physical health, I will do my very best to keep it.

- Jon S. von Tetzchner, CEO

Situation report #1 Oslo, Norway - April 25, 2005 – 09:00 CET/03:00 am EST After his bold statement went public on Thursday, Jon has spent several hours at Bislett Bad, the nearest public swimming pool, doing laps to prepare himself for the overwhelming task ahead. On Sunday, he also spent a good half hour submerged in the bathtub at home in relatively cool temperatures to reduce the shock of the icy Oslo fjord. "I take this challenge very seriously, but after three laps at Bislett Bad on Saturday I realized, as I was heaving like a whale, that I should probably have started the training a little bit earlier," says a slightly nervous Jon S. von Tetzchner. "I am hoping that my extra pounds of excess body fat will create enough buoyancy to keep me afloat and insulation to keep me warm." Jon is assisted by Opera's PR manager who will be rowing alongside the adventurous CEO in the company inflatable raft on the trip across the Atlantic as an act of guilt after making the CEO's statement public. The fearless crew is currently on its way to an undisclosed location in the Oslo fjord to begin the long journey toward America in the true spirit of the Vikings before them.

Situation report #2 Oslo, Norway - April 25, 2005 – 16:00 CET/10:00 am EST The weather in Oslo was pleasantly mild as Jon S. von Tetzchner prepared for his transatlantic swim this morning. After struggling with the wet suit for over an hour, the 195 cm tall CEO looked sharp and focused as he took his last steps on Norwegian soil before entering the freezing Oslo fjord. "We are so proud of Jon for doing this," said Anne Stavnes, HR manager, Opera Software. "Considering that the closest thing Jon has ever come to swimming was in the hot springs in Iceland when he was a kid, and those aren't even 3 feet deep." Sporting the Norwegian and the U.S. flag as an appropriate symbol of the journey ahead, the company inflatable raft, "Phantom", had been duly prepared for the long trip. Manned with a satellite phone, maps, food, water and a book with inspirational quotes from the Viking sagas, Opera's PR manager, Eskil Sivertsen, has taken it upon himself to row alongside Jon for the duration of the trip, partly out of guilt for having made his CEO's bold statement public. "It's the least he can do, having put me in this situation in the first place," says Jon S. von Tetzchner with a wicked grin on his face. "Besides, I can't swim to the USA without maps, and this wet suit doesn't seem to have any pockets, so it's good to have him there – also as someone to talk to along the way." Several members of their families and many representatives from Opera were present on the docks to see the two bold adventurers well off when they made their way, slowly but surely, toward the open sea – Jon swimming, Eskil rowing. "Look at me! I'm floating! I'm floating!" was the last thing people heard from Jon as he kicked off into the distance. The next update on the remarkable and heroic journey will be available here on Tuesday, April 26, at 10:00 am CET (04:00 am EST). Stay tuned! Wet suits supplied by Hydra Dive Center.