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WIFE CARRYING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
IN SONKAJARVI, FINLAND
Wife carrying world championships in Sonkajärvi,
since 1992
WIFE CARRYING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
AT SONKAJÄRVI 5th - 6th July 2013
Preliminary program
Friday 5th July
17-22 Traders in the market place, free entrance
Traditional cultural yard by village association in the market
17-21 Semifinals in Wife Carrying Karaoke contest
19.00 The Wife Carrying Sprint Competition
20.30 English Evening Worship in Sonkajärvi Church
21-01 Market dance in the hall, music by Janne Tulkki ja Tulinen Sydän
Tickets at 17.00-01.00 adults 15 €,
Saturday 6th July
09-18 Traders in the market place, free entrance
11.00 Finals in Wife Carrying Karaoke contens
13.00 TEAM COMPETITION IN THE WIFE CARRYING
14.00 Wife Carrying music in arena, band Halavatun Papat
14.45 Opening ceremony
15.00 THE 18th WIFE CARRYING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
16.15 Wife Carrying dance, music by Rutakko All Stars
17.30 Wife Carrying Prize awarding ceremony
18.00 Wife Carrying dance, music by Rutakko All Stars
19.00 Wife Carrying dance, music by Telaketju
21-02 Wife Carrying dance in the hall, music by Teemu Harjukari & Taivaanrannanmaalarit
Tickets 25 €, children under 12 years old 5 €
For further information and reservation of the sales stand
Sonkajärven Eukonkanto Oy eukonkanto@sonkajarvi.fi
WIFE CARRYING AT SONKAJÄRVI SINCE 1992
The idea of the Wife Carrying Competition is Sonkajärvi’s
very own. In spite of its humorous aspects it has deep roots
in the local history. In the late 1800’s there was a brigand
called Rosvo-Ronkainen living in the area. In his troops he is
said to have accepted only the men who proved their worth on a
challenging track. In those days, a common practice was to steal
women from the neighbouring villages. Today, not even a gentle
compulsion is being used, the ladies volunteer for the mission
of the championships.
The Wife Carrying Championship event has been organized at
Sonkajärvi since 1992. The running number of the 2013
Championships is the 18th on the World Championships
level. The number of couples interested in the world wide known
event is growing steadily; qualifying games, in which physical
condition and sense ofhumour are tested, are being organised in
a big number of countries around the world (study the websites,
and http://www.v-maarja.ee). Besides Finnish couples, contestants
will come from Australia, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland,
Estonia, USA. Estonia belongs to the category of her own, as the
Estonian contestants have mastered the championships for years.
The Wife Carrying World record of 55.5 seconds is held Margo
Uusorg and Birgit Ulricht from Tallinn, Estonia. The Finnish
record of 56.7 seconds is held by Jouni and Tiina Jussila
from Raisio. In 2009-2012 the Championships was run by
the Finnish couple Taisto Miettinen and Kristiina Haapanen.
New series ! Wife Carrying Senior series applicant must
be 40 years or older Otherwise, the series have same rules
as the Wife Carrying Championships.
Along with the wife carrying world championships there is also
a team and a sprint competition.
In the team competition the track is the same, but the three men
of a team carry the wife in turns. At the exchange point the
carrier has to drink the official "wife carrying drink" before
continuing the race. A special prize will be awarded to the team
wearing the best costumes. Also the most entertaining couple, the
best costume and the strongest carrier will be awarded a prize.
In the sprint competition the length of the track is 100 metres,
and the surface is partially sand and gravel. The track has one
water obstacle, about a meter deep. The contestants run the
qualification round 5 to 10 couples at a time and the first three
of each heat will continue in the next round until there are just
three couples left to compete in the final.
The track has been altered to match the modern conditions and the
valid rules;
Its surface is partially sand, grass and asphalt
about a meter deep
or you may have found her farther ahead; she must, however,
be over 17 years of age
If she weighs less, she will be burdened with a heavy
rucksack to reach the desired minimum weight.
the shortest time
to his back or in his arms and continue carrying
so each heat is a contest in itself
if deemed necessary, insurance
given by the organisers of the competition
Along with the wife carrying world championships there is also
a team competition. The track is the same but three men in the
team carry the wife in turns. At the exchange point the carrier
has to drink the official “wife carrying drink” before
continuing the race.
INFORMATION
Eukonkanto konttuuri (The Wife Carrying Headquarters )
Eero Pitkänen
tel. +358 (0)40 148 4323 Leena- Kaisa Karilahti
International interviews
Veikko Tervonen
e-mail: v.tervonen@meili.fi
tel. +358 (0)440 278 110
Press centre :
Veera Tegelberg
e-mail: veera.tegelberg@suomi24.fi
tel. +358 (0)40 822 8925
Press centre (during the event)
e-mail:eukonkanto@sonkajarvi.fi
Hannu Keränen :
hannu.keranen@dnainternet.net
tel. +358 (0)44 7408 123
tel. +358 (0)44 0762 161
www.eukonkanto.fi
www.wifecarrying.fi
www.iisalmijatienoot.fi
www.iisalmi.ru
www.visitfinland.com
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