Man dies in World Sauna finals

A Russian finalist at the World Sauna Championships in Finland died Saturday and the event was suspended, according to the organizers, the AP reported.

Both of the events finalists -- Russia's Vladimir Ladyzhensky and Finland's Timo Kaukonen -- were rushed to the hospital after collapsing during the competition, in which contestants are made to endure temperatures of 230 degrees Fahrenheit (110 degrees Celsius) for as long as they can. Ladyzhensky later died.

The event, which has been held since 1999, was taking place in Heinola, Finland, which is 86 miles north of Helsinki.

While police have launched an investigation, the organizer of the event, Ossi Arvela, said in a statement: "All the rules were followed and there was enough first aid personnel. All the competitors needed to sign in to the competition with a doctor's certificate."

The Finnish news agency STT reported that both men suffered burns on their body and that the competition was cut short after six minutes, according to AFP.

Kaukonen had won the competition 5 times.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/07/world-sauna-championships_n_674582.html?ref=fb&src=sp

God, I'll never understand these psuedo-sports.

What kind of person would participate in that?:?

Will Ferrell will star ina movie based around this.

Does anyone else find it ironic that both finalists in the sauna competition were from countries that are iced over for most of the year?gameguy6700

[QUOTE="gameguy6700"]Does anyone else find it ironic that both finalists in the sauna competition were from countries that are iced over for most of the year?Treflis

[QUOTE="gameguy6700"]Does anyone else find it ironic that both finalists in the sauna competition were from countries that are iced over for most of the year?Treflis

If by "saunas" you mean "pools of frozen water" then yes, yes they are:

[QUOTE="Treflis"][QUOTE="gameguy6700"]Does anyone else find it ironic that both finalists in the sauna competition were from countries that are iced over for most of the year?gameguy6700

If by "saunas" you mean "pools of frozen water" then yes, yes they are:

Was actually thinking more about this.

Hold on, 110 C!?

This might be the first sport that quite literally makes your blood boil.

[QUOTE="Treflis"][QUOTE="gameguy6700"]Does anyone else find it ironic that both finalists in the sauna competition were from countries that are iced over for most of the year?DeanG642

[QUOTE="Treflis"][QUOTE="gameguy6700"]Does anyone else find it ironic that both finalists in the sauna competition were from countries that are iced over for most of the year?DeanG642

Why is that a fail? Saunas tend to be more popular in cold environments, why would someone want to get into a sauna when it's hot outside already?

God, I'll never understand these psuedo-sports.

theone86

You're right, it is a super sport.

Yeah, I had read about it. I feel bad for him, but I guess he knew the risks in taking part in that competition.

As much as I love going in a sauna, 110 degrees is a little too much for me.

not surprised about the man dying...im surprised about a "world sauna championship"lightleggy

World Sauna Championships???.... seriously.

That looks REALLY painful. :cry:

He was a legend and champion of the sport, seriously though why would you do that? I had read about the World Sauna Championships before though, such a stupid event. It was in Rick Reilly's book about the world's stupidest competions.

Who can sit in this tub of hot water the longest, what could possibly go wrong :P PerfectCircles

I think some people are confusing saunas with hot tubs.

wow thats a sport?

that whole idea sounds really skeatchy. I would have died at about 50 though so good for them, I guess