Sauna Maut

Finalist dies at World Sauna event in Finland

Vladimir Ladyzhensky (L) and Timo Kaukonen later collapsed

 

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 competition was held in Heinola, 138km (86 miles) north of Helsinki.
Its chief organiser, Ossi Arvela, said all the rules of the event had been followed.
He 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.
The event, which has been running since 1999, requires participants to withstand 110C for as long as possible.
Still pictures from the event released by news wires showed the pair being treated after having collapsed, apparently suffering burns.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-10904691