Help: Wife-Carrying Championship

Subject: Wife-Carrying Championship
From: Abby Sale
Date: 15 Jul 01 - 10:31 AM

I am pleased to note that Estonians, Margo Uusorg & Ms Birgit Ulricht (or Ulrich or Ullrich) again won the Sonkajarvi, Finland, World Wife-Carrying Championship yesterday.  They used the famous "Estonian carry" to cover the 253.5 metre, hazard-filled track in 55.5 seconds.

The official Sonkajarvi site seems to say that last year this same couple took both first and second place prizes Clicky.  Perhaps someone more versed than I in the mystique of sports can explain this to me...I always thought one could only take first or second.

This traditional local sport has now become a World competition and phenomenon and major news story so I'm sure All are familiar with it.  Any not so familiar may be interested in  The BBC News report (filed under Education) or this page from  The North American competition segment.
 
 

Subject: RE: Help: Wife-Carrying Championship
From: Amos
Date: 15 Jul 01 - 10:50 AM

Looks like quite a challenge, Abbie. I'll give it a try in the local park -- we have a little stream there. I have to wonder why, though!!:>)

Also I note this began in the "19th century" when it was traditional to steal brides from neighboring villages. So for the sake of realism, shouldn't Margo's spouse be kicking and screaming? It would add a whole new level of interest to the competition if the women protested the kidnapping!! And, one which it really needs!

A

Subject: RE: Help: Wife-Carrying Championship
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 15 Jul 01 - 05:44 PM

good... I'm not the only one who saw this!!

What a scream!

LOL!!!!

Subject: RE: Help: Wife-Carrying Championship
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Jul 01 - 06:12 PM

seems to me there needs to be a handicapping system...

Coy wife to husband: "Dear, wouldn't you like to carry me upstairs to bed like you used to?"

Husband:."No, dear, I don't think so...you'd better walk"

Petulant wife:"Well, you sure aren't as gallant as you were when I was a gal!"

Weary husband:"But, dear...you aren't as buoyant and you were when I was a boy"

Subject: RE: Help: Wife-Carrying Championship
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Jul 01 - 06:59 PM

this same couple took both first and second place prizes

I wondered whether they've decided to move with the times and allow husband carrying as well - in which case the same partners could logically come first and second if they swapped roles. But the site doesn't give any indication of that.

Carrying a partner home from the pub is I believe a traditional activity in some parts of the world. Though a wheelbarrow version would be more likely to get more entrants.

Subject: RE: Help: Wife-Carrying Championship
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Jul 01 - 07:01 PM

..hence the song, "Rolling Home"?

Subject: RE: Help: Wife-Carrying Championship
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Jul 01 - 07:55 PM

Or "Wheel Meet Again"

Subject: RE: Help: Wife-Carrying Championship
From: Don Firth
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 01:43 AM

"Carry me back to old Virginny" might be going a bit far. . . .

Subject: RE: Help: Wife-Carrying Championship
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 12:42 PM

When I saw the thread title I mis-read it as wife CARVING! and my heart leapt with joy. I still like to adhere to the old Scots tradition of carrying my wife down to the river, dipping her in 3 times, and taking her out twice.

Jock

Subject: RE: Help: Wife-Carrying Championship
From: Abby Sale
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 01:59 PM

Giok: I know that you say sooth. I have in front of me a tri-fold of the Spring 1972 releases for Trailor Records (it includes Gaughan's No More Forever.)

The back presents a new POPULAR EDITION (ed. Leslie Shepard) of Curiosities of Street Literature by Charles Hindley.

The lead woodcut is entitled "How to Cook a Wife." I admit I have long been curious about this Curiosity but never got around to getting. Perhaps some Mudcatter has the recipe?

Subject: RE: Help: Wife-Carrying Championship
From: Mrrzy
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 04:28 PM

Maybe only 2 couples entered, so they gave one first and second, and the other third? I can't get through the blickied site... but I do remember hearing about this sport... somewhere...

Subject: RE: Help: Wife-Carrying Championship
From: Grab
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 05:33 PM

Men can choose any woman over the age of 16 to be their symbolic wife for the event. The winners claim prizes including the wife's weight in beer.

I want in on this!! :-)

Incidentally, from the BBC page,

South Korean sumo wrestler Hwang Sunmi mounted a serious challenge, employing a different hands-free technique to carry Kwang Duk through the 250m watery course. But his strength was no match for the combination of technique and speed employed by the Estonians, whose teams came first and second in the contest.

So Estonia actually had two couples in the competition. Mystery over.

Graham.