What are the rules for wife carrying?
All participants must enjoy themselves. The only equipment allowed is a belt worn by the carrier and a helmet worn by the carried. The contestants run the race two pairs at a time, so each heat is a contest in itself. Each contestant takes care of his/her safety and, if deemed necessary, insurance.
What is the prize for wife carrying?
weight in beer
The prize is the woman’s weight in beer. A Lithuanian man and his wife have won the world ‘wife carrying’ title, leaping over timber and wading through waist-high water to beat dozens of other couples for a second year running. The prize is the wife’s weight in beer.
Which country is Wife Carrying a sport?
Finland
Originating in Finland, the act of Wife Carrying is based around the 19th century legend “Ronkainen the Robber”. There are three stories as to how the sport was developed. Firstly, Ronkainen and his thieves were accused of stealing food and women from local villages carrying the women away on their backs.
Is Wife Carrying an extreme sport?
Men, carrying wives, race through an obstacle course that includes sand, water and fences. The prize for winning the race is the wife’s weight in beer. It’s really all very civilized. The sport — yes, it’s a sport — originated in Finland, and was most likely inspired by a duo of historical tales.
What happens if a man drops his partner in wife-carrying?
There are two obstacles to climb over, as well as a 1-meter- (3.2-feet-) deep water obstacle to wade through. If a contestant drops his wife, he incurs a 15-second penalty.
Who invented wife-carrying?
Herkko Rosvo-Ronkainen
Wife Carrying originated in Finland, and its history is based around the 19th century legend of Herkko Rosvo-Ronkainen, or “Ronkainen the Robber.” There are three stories as to how the sport was created.
What country has wife-carrying race?
Despite this dark origin, the sport is nowadays seen as a fun way for young couples to test their physical endurance and teamwork. The first competitive wife-carrying event took place in 1992, in Sonkajärvi, a rural area in the North Savo province of central Finland, where world championships are still held yearly.
Who invented wife carrying?
Which country has hosted the Wife Carrying World Championships?
Finland – It’s a real shame wife-carrying isn’t an olympic sport. Held in Sonkajärvi, Finland since 1992, the Wife Carrying World Championship draws husband-and-wife teams from around the world every July.
What happens if a man drops his partner in wife carrying?
What are the rules for the Wife Carrying Championship?
The North American rules and regulations for wife carrying vary slightly from the World Championship rules on several points. The list below is the official set of rules and regulations for the North American Championship and are followed by most state and regional qualifying events. Teammates are not required to be legally married.
How big is the Official Wife Carrying Race?
Officials also award special prizes for best costumes, which adds a festive element to the event. In addition to the standard wife-carrying race, couples have the option to participate in the official wife-carrying sprint, which is only 100 meters (328 feet) but includes similar obstacles.
Where is the North American Wife Carrying Championship?
North American Wife Carrying Championship. Founded in 1999 at Sunday River Resort in Maine, the North American Wife Carrying Championship has been held annually in mid-October at this location ever since. Winners of 13 U.S. state events and two Canadian provincial events have competed in the North American Championship.
How old do you have to be to run the Wife Carrying Race?
The length of the official track is 253.5 meters (277 yards) The track has two dry obstacles and a water obstacle. The wife to be carried may be your own, the neighbor’s, or you may have found her further afield; she must, however, be over 17 years of age.