Lying back in a sauna is generally thought of as a relaxing, therapeutic experience. But for those competing in the sauna world championships, it's a brutal war of extreme perspiration. One-hundred sixty men and women from 23 different countries competed in this year's Sauna World Championships, but the Finns dominated on their home turf. Bjarne Hermansson outlasted the other men in the competition, enduring 230-degree (110 celcius) heat for 18 minutes and 15 seconds. The women's title went to Leila Kulin, who lasted for five minutes and 21 seconds.
"It wasn't fun after two or three minutes," said organizer Ossi Arvela.
Most people stay in a normal sauna for about five minutes, but the contest is made harder by the addition of extreme humidity. Half a liter of water is poured on sizzling stones every 30 seconds. Six men or women sit inside the sauna in each round, and the winner is the last one to leave.
Question Raised: Would you watch if sauna endurance was an Olympic event?
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Saturday 16 August
By Kevin
The Finnish Sauna Society is aghast at the whole idea and have denounced the Sauna Chamionship. They think it’s unhealthy and dangerous (the starter temperature is 230 degrees F and goes up every 30 seconds from there). But this party isn’t just a nutter’s competition; bathers are willing to bake to lobster-red for several minutes in order to win a week’s vacation in some exotic -- and hot -- locale like Morocco.
Kevin
http://www.sauna-talk.com
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Saturday 16 August
By Kevin
The Finnish Sauna Society is aghast at the whole idea and have denounced the Sauna Championship. They think it’s unhealthy and dangerous (the starter temperature is 230 degrees F and goes up every 30 seconds from there). But this party isn’t just a nutter’s competition; bathers are willing to bake to lobster-red for several minutes in order to win a week’s vacation in some exotic -- and hot -- locale like Morocco.
Kevin
http://www.sauna-talk.com
Reply
Saturday 29 November
By mark
I wonder how hot this gets.
Adding water to a sauna would actually cool it down a little. Just more steam would be produced.
I enter a sauna which is 100 degrees celsius and about 60 humidity.
I wonder if the competition just required sitting one round or winner stays on.
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