The final of the annual Sauna World Championships in Finland has ended in tragedy with the death of a Russian contestant.
Vladimir Ladyzhensky (l) and Timo Kaukonen (r) suffered severe burns. Vladimir Ladyzhensky was rushed to hospital along with his Finnish rival, Timo Kaukonen, after both collapsed during the competition. The pair both had severe burns on their bodies after enduring heat above 110C (230F).
A spokesman for the event confirmed the cirumstances of Mr Ladyzhensky's death were being investigated by police. The annual contest, which has been held since 1999, has been suspended. Time Kaukonen (seen here winning the 2007 contest) is still in hospital.
Over 130 participants from 15 countries had entered this year's event in the southern town of Heinola. Competition rules require the sauna to be heated to 110C with a pint of water added to the stove every 30 seconds.
The last person to remain in the sauna is the winner. Mr Kaukonen, who was last year's champion, is being treated in hospital at the city of Lahti.
Because you've got to be some kind of intelligent smart ass to go ahead with something like this. The things some people will do for a little fame.
That's... 212-ish Fahrenheit? Seriously, why would anybody want to do this? That's like being cooked alive! If this is the best that some people can come up with to get their name out, there's a serious problem with people wanting to earn their 15 minutes of fame (not like there hasn't been in the past few years, anyways).
Ouch.. I could see the challenge in trying to stay in a sauna (or an icy bath etc.) to see who has the best stanima but at some point you'd have to give up. Having a medical team monitor you and force you to pull out when your enter the mortal danger area would be an option. THough ultimately you are the one responsible for your actions. You might be able to hold on a little longer then the medical staff says, or you might just get unlucky and end up under a few feet of dirt...
That sucks, just as the competition was heating up, a horrible tragedy like this had to occur. Hopefully after the initial hubbub has cooled off the rest of the competitors can let off a little steam before they find themselves hot on the heels of another ridiculous championship.
/snerk
CANNON, n. An instrument employed in the rectification of national boundaries. - Ambrose Bierce
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