Wife Carrying World Championships
When: 6 - 8 Jul 2007 (annual)
Where: Market Square
Cost: €50 registration fee; free to watch
Opening Hours: Corporate event 12pm; world championships 3pm
In 2007 the annual Wife Carrying World Championships in Sonkajärvi is expected to attract more spectators, media and piggy-backing couples than ever before.
This annual event involves an arduous men's race over 250 metres of obstacles, including a water jump. The only snag is that the competitor has to carry his wife on his back, in order to win her weight in beer.
A few rules apply of course - the wife must be over 17 years of age and more than 49 kilos in weight. A 15-second penalty (and probably a severe telling off) is incurred should she be dropped during the course of the race. No props are allowed except for a belt and the winner is the couple to make it round the track fastest.
Along with the main event, there are also a team competition, a triathlon and a "classic" race. The track is the same but three men in the team carry the wife in turn. At the exchange point the carrier has to drink the official "wife carrying drink" before continuing the race. A special prize is awarded to the team with the best costumes.
The roots of this event go back to the early 19th century. At this time, the area was under the influence of a local brigand named Rosvo-Ronkainen, who would only take men into his gang who proved their worth in a contest. After much deliberation he borrowed a local habit of stealing women from neighbouring villages and a tradition was born.
Related Information Website:
http://www.sonkajarvi.fi