Tragedy strikes Worlds Sauna Finals in Finland

[crono1224]

Tragedy strikes Sauna Finalist

The annual World Sauna Championships in Finland have ended in tragedy with the death of one of the finalists, the organisers said.

Russian finalist Vladimir Ladyzhensky and Finnish rival Timo Kaukonen were both taken to hospital after collapsing and Mr Ladyzhensky later died.

The event, which has been running since 1999, requires participants to withstand 110C for as long as possible.

Its chief organiser said all the rules of the event had been followed.

The competition was held in Heinola, 138km (86 miles) north of Helsinki.

Organiser Ossi Arvela said in a statement that the organisers were grief stricken at the events.

Mr Arvela said the police were already at the venue and were undertaking an investigation.

He said: "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."

Mr Kaukonen, who was last year's champion, is being treated in hospital at the city of Lahti.

Still pictures from the event released by news wires showed the pair being treated after having collapsed, apparently suffering burns.

This is truly a strange event, and only compares with the Vodka Drinking Competition in terms of ridiculous competitions.

 

[Bubble181]

Damn, we won't see North_Ranger for a few days, unless that hospital has WiFi...

 

[phil]

Shit, this is like their 9/11.


Is north ranger ok? How's he taking this?

I wish he would call.

 

[North_Ranger]

Well, I'm alright. I was at a cousin's wedding all day, so I couldn't compete. But being inside, on a hot day, in a building with no air conditioning, with about 200 other people AND wearing a suit all the time... I can bloody well relate.

I've checked the news, though. The police suspect no foul play, as each contestant was competing voluntarily, the contestants were under constant supervision in the sauna, and they both had to undergo a medical check-up before competing. In fact, the referee called the game off when they saw the two men were in danger. It was only after they opened the doors the two men lost consciousness. Both, however, had suffered burns from sitting six minutes in the 110 C (230 F) sauna, but that's why they have a medical team on stand-by at these games.

One possibility is that the contestants had suffered dehydration due to not ingesting enough fluids earlier that day (one of the reasons why Finns combine drinking and sauna, mind you).

What does piss me off, though, is that now they're talking about not having the games anymore next year. I mean, frickin' Formula One causes more deaths and injuries and people consider it a valid sport.

 

[Chazwozel]

Well, I'm alright. I was at a cousin's wedding all day, so I couldn't compete. But being inside, on a hot day, in a building with no air conditioning, with about 200 other people AND wearing a suit all the time... I can bloody well relate.

I've checked the news, though. The police suspect no foul play, as each contestant was competing voluntarily, the contestants were under constant supervision in the sauna, and they both had to undergo a medical check-up before competing. In fact, the referee called the game off when they saw the two men were in danger. It was only after they opened the doors the two men lost consciousness. Both, however, had suffered burns from sitting six minutes in the 110 C (230 F) sauna, but that's why they have a medical team on stand-by at these games.

One possibility is that the contestants had suffered dehydration due to not ingesting enough fluids earlier that day (one of the reasons why Finns combine drinking and sauna, mind you).

What does piss me off, though, is that now they're talking about not having the games anymore next year. I mean, frickin' Formula One causes more deaths and injuries and people consider it a valid sport.

Wow, that's pretty fucking stupid.

 

[crono1224]

Well, I'm alright. I was at a cousin's wedding all day, so I couldn't compete. But being inside, on a hot day, in a building with no air conditioning, with about 200 other people AND wearing a suit all the time... I can bloody well relate.

I've checked the news, though. The police suspect no foul play, as each contestant was competing voluntarily, the contestants were under constant supervision in the sauna, and they both had to undergo a medical check-up before competing. In fact, the referee called the game off when they saw the two men were in danger. It was only after they opened the doors the two men lost consciousness. Both, however, had suffered burns from sitting six minutes in the 110 C (230 F) sauna, but that's why they have a medical team on stand-by at these games.

One possibility is that the contestants had suffered dehydration due to not ingesting enough fluids earlier that day (one of the reasons why Finns combine drinking and sauna, mind you).

What does piss me off, though, is that now they're talking about not having the games anymore next year. I mean, frickin' Formula One causes more deaths and injuries and people consider it a valid sport.

Wow, that's pretty fucking stupid.[/QUOTE]

I thought he had to have been implying something other than alcohol cause I would assume the level of dehydration from both would be astronomical.

 

[North_Ranger]

Well, I'm alright. I was at a cousin's wedding all day, so I couldn't compete. But being inside, on a hot day, in a building with no air conditioning, with about 200 other people AND wearing a suit all the time... I can bloody well relate.

I've checked the news, though. The police suspect no foul play, as each contestant was competing voluntarily, the contestants were under constant supervision in the sauna, and they both had to undergo a medical check-up before competing. In fact, the referee called the game off when they saw the two men were in danger. It was only after they opened the doors the two men lost consciousness. Both, however, had suffered burns from sitting six minutes in the 110 C (230 F) sauna, but that's why they have a medical team on stand-by at these games.

One possibility is that the contestants had suffered dehydration due to not ingesting enough fluids earlier that day (one of the reasons why Finns combine drinking and sauna, mind you).

What does piss me off, though, is that now they're talking about not having the games anymore next year. I mean, frickin' Formula One causes more deaths and injuries and people consider it a valid sport.

Wow, that's pretty fucking stupid.[/QUOTE]

Don't knock it 'til you've tried it.

Also, I may have been ambiguous. The idea is that you drink after the sauna and enjoy the slowly simmering heat with a cold one. Not IN the sauna.


And also, I don't think one of my country's national pastimes in competitive form is stupid, thank you very much. Hot dog eating contests, on the other hand...

 

[Wasabi Poptart]

Now a hot dog eating contest while in a sauna. That's sport! lol

 

[Chazwozel]

Well, I'm alright. I was at a cousin's wedding all day, so I couldn't compete. But being inside, on a hot day, in a building with no air conditioning, with about 200 other people AND wearing a suit all the time... I can bloody well relate.

I've checked the news, though. The police suspect no foul play, as each contestant was competing voluntarily, the contestants were under constant supervision in the sauna, and they both had to undergo a medical check-up before competing. In fact, the referee called the game off when they saw the two men were in danger. It was only after they opened the doors the two men lost consciousness. Both, however, had suffered burns from sitting six minutes in the 110 C (230 F) sauna, but that's why they have a medical team on stand-by at these games.

One possibility is that the contestants had suffered dehydration due to not ingesting enough fluids earlier that day (one of the reasons why Finns combine drinking and sauna, mind you).

What does piss me off, though, is that now they're talking about not having the games anymore next year. I mean, frickin' Formula One causes more deaths and injuries and people consider it a valid sport.

Wow, that's pretty fucking stupid.[/QUOTE]

Don't knock it 'til you've tried it.

Also, I may have been ambiguous. The idea is that you drink after the sauna and enjoy the slowly simmering heat with a cold one. Not IN the sauna.


And also, I don't think one of my country's national pastimes in competitive form is stupid, thank you very much. Hot dog eating contests, on the other hand...[/QUOTE]

You sweat in or around the sauna, i.e. get dehydrated. If you drink alcohol, you're only helping yourself get more dehydrated. It's like running a marathon and then having a shot of tequila after. The point of a sauna is the relax your muscles after a workout, and to rid the body of toxins via transpiration. You completely defeat the purpose if you drink alcohol.

 

[phil]

What if the purpose is fun?



Like the fun you have after running a marathon and getting trashed on tequila?

 

[kaykordeath]

Heard about this yesterday. My wife is Finnish so it caught our eyes.

Then in a book store today, saw this:
Amazon.com: Sports from Hell: My Search for the World's Dumbest Competition (9780385514385): Rick Reilly: Books

Guess what the first chapter is....

 

[Philosopher B.]

Hot dog eating?

 

[Bubble181]

to rid the body of toxins via transpiration.

As a somewhat scientifically oriented person, I hope you realize this is complete and utter nonsense? Our sweat glands are in no way related to our body's breakdown of toxins. That's what the liver and kidneys are for.

 

[Dave]

You guys suck and are missing the only thing that really matters that you can take away from this story:

Congrats to Timo Kaukonen for winning the World Sauna Championships!


A victory for Timo is a victory for Finland!

 

[North_Ranger]

Heard about this yesterday. My wife is Finnish so it caught our eyes.

Then in a book store today, saw this:
Amazon.com: Sports from Hell: My Search for the World's Dumbest Competition (9780385514385): Rick Reilly: Books

Guess what the first chapter is....

Pie eating contest?

Also, I applaud your taste in women. Tell the missus I said terveiset

---------- Post added at 11:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:20 PM ----------

You sweat in or around the sauna, i.e. get dehydrated. If you drink alcohol, you're only helping yourself get more dehydrated. It's like running a marathon and then having a shot of tequila after. The point of a sauna is the relax your muscles after a workout, and to rid the body of toxins via transpiration. You completely defeat the purpose if you drink alcohol.

...

Chaz, did you just try and tell a Finn what the "point" of a sauna is? I mean come on, that's like me trying to tell you what the point of... I dunno, baseball?... is.

Or the Second Amendment.

Or Thanksgiving.

Or that weird thing that's like sausage on a stick or something...

 

[sixpackshaker]

You guys suck and are missing the only thing that really matters that you can take away from this story:

Congrats to Timo Kaukonen for winning the World Sauna Championships!


A victory for Timo is a victory for Finland!

And he will be the reigning champion for the rest of his life. If he recovers.

 

[phil]

Heard about this yesterday. My wife is Finnish so it caught our eyes.

Then in a book store today, saw this:
Amazon.com: Sports from Hell: My Search for the World's Dumbest Competition (9780385514385): Rick Reilly: Books

Guess what the first chapter is....

Pie eating contest?

Also, I applaud your taste in women. Tell the missus I said terveiset

---------- Post added at 11:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:20 PM ----------

You sweat in or around the sauna, i.e. get dehydrated. If you drink alcohol, you're only helping yourself get more dehydrated. It's like running a marathon and then having a shot of tequila after. The point of a sauna is the relax your muscles after a workout, and to rid the body of toxins via transpiration. You completely defeat the purpose if you drink alcohol.

...

Chaz, did you just try and tell a Finn what the "point" of a sauna is? I mean come on, that's like me trying to tell you what the point of... I dunno, baseball?... is.

Or the Second Amendment.

Or Thanksgiving.

Or that weird thing that's like sausage on a stick or something...[/QUOTE]

Corn dogs are awesome, yo.

 

[sixpackshaker]

Breakfast sausage dipped in pancake batter is the bomb.

 

[Baerdog]

Breakfast sausage dipped in pancake batter is the bomb.

OM NOM NOM

 

[North_Ranger]

You guys suck and are missing the only thing that really matters that you can take away from this story:

Congrats to Timo Kaukonen for winning the World Sauna Championships!


A victory for Timo is a victory for Finland!

And he will be the reigning champion for the rest of his life. If he recovers.[/QUOTE]

Last I heard his condition was stable.

Also, the current theory is that the two contestants keeled over because of dehydration. Not because of the sauna per se, but because of a combination of factors. First of all, they had been sauna competing earlier that day, and it was a very hot day on location. The contestants had apparently not kept themselves properly hydrated, and as a result they didn't think to get out of the sauna when the burns began to form (severe dehydration can apparently temporarily impair one's judgment). The finalist sauna was the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back.

 

[Chazwozel]

So what is the point of taking a Sauna in Finland. Here it's mostly to relax your muscles after a workout.

 

[phil]

I'd imagine it's just to relax your muscles period over there.

 

[Bubble181]

Oh, hey, Ranger, Belgium-Finland football matchin Turku today. I'll cheer for Finland if you cheer for Belgium. Deal? ;-)

 

[North_Ranger]

Oh, hey, Ranger, Belgium-Finland football matchin Turku today. I'll cheer for Finland if you cheer for Belgium. Deal? ;-)

Eh fine.

---------- Post added at 11:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:57 AM ----------

So what is the point of taking a Sauna in Finland. Here it's mostly to relax your muscles after a workout.

Certainly not taking all the fun out of it by gettin' all scientific and stuck-up about it.

 

[Chazwozel]

Oh, hey, Ranger, Belgium-Finland football matchin Turku today. I'll cheer for Finland if you cheer for Belgium. Deal? ;-)

Eh fine.

---------- Post added at 11:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:57 AM ----------

So what is the point of taking a Sauna in Finland. Here it's mostly to relax your muscles after a workout.

Certainly not taking all the fun out of it by gettin' all scientific and stuck-up about it.[/QUOTE]

Do me a favor, go drink a fifth of vodka and hang out in the sauna. Your big ass should collapse in about 20 minutes.

 

[North_Ranger]

Do me a favor, go drink a fifth of vodka and hang out in the sauna. Your big ass should collapse in about 20 minutes.

Sorry, don't owe you any favors. The point is I find it incredibly humorous that you try to tell me what the "point" of having a sauna is.

 

[Chazwozel]

Do me a favor, go drink a fifth of vodka and hang out in the sauna. Your big ass should collapse in about 20 minutes.

Sorry, don't owe you any favors. The point is I find it incredibly humorous that you try to tell me what the "point" of having a sauna is.[/QUOTE]

I told you what most Americans use a sauna for. I'm asking you what the point of a sauna is in Finland, other than sweating, aiding circulation, toxin removal (which is actually true to an extent: you pores open up allowing toxins and bacteria on your skin to be sloughed out), and muscle relaxation.

Is it a social thing? Is it just another weird Finnish competition? I stand firmly that drinking alcohol completely negates any health benefits you gain from a sauna, which is why it's really stupid -in my eyes -to drink alcohol while in or immediately out of the sauna.

---------- Post added at 10:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:39 AM ----------

to rid the body of toxins via transpiration.

As a somewhat scientifically oriented person, I hope you realize this is complete and utter nonsense? Our sweat glands are in no way related to our body's breakdown of toxins. That's what the liver and kidneys are for. [/QUOTE]

Toxins and bacteria live and are found on your skin. When you sweat and your pores open up it flushes this shit out of your deep skin. Of course I understand that in no way does it replace your liver's function, but the increased blood flow does promote a better functioning liver and kidneys.

 

[North_Ranger]

I told you what most Americans use a sauna for. I'm asking you what the point of a sauna is in Finland, other than sweating, aiding circulation, toxin removal (which is actually true to an extent: you pores open up allowing toxins and bacteria on your skin to be sloughed out), and muscle relaxation.

Is it a social thing? Is it just another weird Finnish competition? I stand firmly that drinking alcohol completely negates any health benefits you gain from a sauna, which is why it's really stupid -in my eyes -to drink alcohol while in or immediately out of the sauna.

Ah, I see. Sorry for snappin' at you then, Chaz, I thought you were making fun of me, as you have done sometimes in the past.

As far as I understand as a native Finn, sauna is a lot of things. Yes, it's used for relaxation after a work-out or exercise, which is why many gyms and pretty much all swimming halls hereabout have a sauna - and which is why sauna is also the preferred method of R&R in the armed forces after exercises and bivouac.

Most of the time, however, enjoying a sauna is primarily a social function. If one is invited to stay at a friend's or relative's summer cabin, it usually involves a dip in the sea/lake, followed by sauna. Hence, the drinking and eating (barbecue and sausages, mostly), especially in predominantly male groups. Outside of the World Sauna Championships, there's usually no competitive element 'cept if there's some idiot in the group who thinks that anyone who can't "take a good sauna" (that is, tolerate high temperatures for a good while) is a pansy. Also, you could consider taking a long sauna in company as a kind of rite of passage if you're a foreigner: Finns tend to think better of you if you show that you enjoy a good sauna - especially if you don't chicken out from taking a dip through a hole in the ice or rolling around in snow before running back inside (done it myself; the tingling sensation is VERY enjoyable).

In past decades, a sauna was also considered the place where people could discuss important matters (eg. politicians, businessmen etc.); in essence it was the Finnish equivalent of "the smoky backroom". And before modern healthcare, and especially in the countryside, sauna was usually the place where one's life began and ended: women retired to the sauna to give birth (probably because it was easy to keep it warm), and the dead were usually placed either in a cold sauna or other adjacent building to wait for burial.

In other words, sauna is serious business.

 

[GeorgeGentry]

Sauna Warriors

wow, great info on sauna, thanks to North_Ranger and everyone who shared their knowledge and opinions

Everything is already been said about sauna here but i have some thing really interesting to share.

A story comes out of Eastern Karelia where a group of soldiers had been forgotten in a field sauna. Finnish forces were on the retreat at the time, but the enemy was not thought to be very close. While one group of men were enjoying the löyly, the front line moved, the guards retreated and the sauna and those in it were suddenly in enemy territory. When the men came out to cool off, they saw that the line had been breached and that they had been left behind the Soviet front, without weapons nor equipment, completely naked. There were forty or so of them, without so much as a pair of trousers between them.

The dugout in which they left their equipment had been destroyed. Somewhere in the distance they heard the clank and roar of tanks. It had been a tight spot. So, perhaps all these men were taken prisoner? It makes sense, but no. First they went back into the sauna and had a good hit of löyly for the road. Then they split up into small groups and disappeared into the forest, re-crossing the front line wherever they could, during the night. They were naked and scratched when they got caught up to their main group, because they had struggled through peat bogs and thickets for the best part of two days. But finally the group was all together again, and when it was seen what condition they were in, they were promptly ordered off to the sauna for yet another good taste of löyly.

 

[phil]

I've read the word sauna so many times now it's lost all meaning.


Sauna

Sauuuuuna

Saaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuuna

Sauna-na-na?

 

[Officer_Charon]

Sauna Warriors

wow, great info on sauna, thanks to North_Ranger and everyone who shared their knowledge and opinions

Everything is already been said about sauna here but i have some thing really interesting to share.

A story comes out of Eastern Karelia where a group of soldiers had been forgotten in a field sauna. Finnish forces were on the retreat at the time, but the enemy was not thought to be very close. While one group of men were enjoying the löyly, the front line moved, the guards retreated and the sauna and those in it were suddenly in enemy territory. When the men came out to cool off, they saw that the line had been breached and that they had been left behind the Soviet front, without weapons nor equipment, completely naked. There were forty or so of them, without so much as a pair of trousers between them.

The dugout in which they left their equipment had been destroyed. Somewhere in the distance they heard the clank and roar of tanks. It had been a tight spot. So, perhaps all these men were taken prisoner? It makes sense, but no. First they went back into the sauna and had a good hit of löyly for the road. Then they split up into small groups and disappeared into the forest, re-crossing the front line wherever they could, during the night. They were naked and scratched when they got caught up to their main group, because they had struggled through peat bogs and thickets for the best part of two days. But finally the group was all together again, and when it was seen what condition they were in, they were promptly ordered off to the sauna for yet another good taste of löyly.

I hope this is true... it helps to reinforce the image I have in my mind of Finns being a pack of badasses, and to be thankful that they're on our side. *chuckles*

 

[strawman]

Sauna Warriors

I hope this is true... it helps to reinforce the image I have in my mind of Finns being a pack of badasses, and to be thankful that they're on our side. *chuckles*