Finland’s standing as the capital of barmy sporting events is more or less undisputed. After all, this is the country that invented and hosts global competitions in wife carrying, mosquito killing, swamp soccer and mobile phone throwing. Yet these events pale in comparison to the jewel in Finland’s alternative sporting crown; the World Sauna Championships.

Competition rules are relatively simple. In each round, six contestants take their place in the sauna. They must sit in a specified position and not distract or interact with their rivals. Half a litre of water is thrown on the sauna’s coals every 30 seconds and the temperature routinely rises to 110 degrees Celsius (230 degrees Fahrenheit). The last person remaining in the sauna is declared the winner.

The heat is on

Unsurprisingly, the World Sauna Championship has historically been dominated by Finnish competitors. This year’s event was no different as 2006 men’s champion Timo Kaukonen remained the last man sitting. After 12 minutes 26 seconds of intense heat, Kaukonen’s countryman Markku Mustonen could take no more and conceded victory to his rival.

In the women’s final, fellow Finn Leila Kulin emerged victorious after Belarus’ Natalia Trifanava wilted after 10 minutes 31 seconds and had to be escorted from the sauna.