Wife Carrying was first introduced at Sonkajärvi, Finland. The aim of the sport is for the male competitor to carry a female on his back through a specially designed obstacle course in the fastest time possible. The prize that they offer for the winner is the wife's weight in beer. Several types of carry are allowed, these include: piggyback, fireman's carry (over the shoulder), or Estonian-style (the wife hangs upside-down with her legs around the husband's shoulders, holding onto his waist).
The history of this strange sport has links to a very broad spectrum of activities in the past, but many point towards a notorious 19th century character, Rankainen the Robber. Rankainen imposed strong physical standards on men he considered for his gang. To meet these standards, the men had to complete a difficult course with a heavy sack on their backs. It was also not uncommon for men to steal women from neighboring villages.
Like any sport Wife Carrying does have a specific set of rules that must be obeyed by all competitors. The rules are as folllows:
The length of the official track is 253.5 meters.
The track has two dry obstacles and a water obstacle, about one meter deep.
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.
The minimum weight of the wife to be carried is 49 kilograms. If she is less than 49 kg, the wife will be burdened with a rucksack containing additional weight such that the total load to be carried is no less than 49 kg.
All participants must have fun.
The only equipment allowed is a belt worn by the carrier, the carried must wear a helmet.
The contestants run the race two at a time, so each heat is a contest in itself.
Each contestant takes care of his/her safety and, if deemed necessary, insurance.
The contestants have to pay attention to the instructions given by the organizers of the competition.
There is only one category in the World Championships and the winner is the couple who completes the course in the shortest time.
Also the most entertaining couple, the best costume and the strongest carrier will be awarded a special prize.
Participation fee is 50 euro.
For those of you interested in taking your wife or significant other, up on your back and proving to the world that you can carry her, start bench-pressing them now as rumours are the competition have been engaged in various montages, where their wives have been spotted floundering on their backs.
