Russian Competitor Dies at World Sauna Championship, Finland

The latest Sauna World Championships ended in crsis when one of the finalists died. Vladimir Ladyzhenskiy, a Russian amateur wrestler along with rival veteran Timo Kaukonen both collapsed with severe burns after tolerating temperature of 110 degrees celsius (212F) i.e above boiling point for 6 minutes.

Both finalist were shaking and bleeding from what appeared to be severe burns. Later Vladimir Ladyzhenskiy died while Timo Kaukonen is reported to be in stable condition in hospital.



The temperature or the duration of the stay aren't the worst parts, it's the humidity that hurts and in this competition 0.5 litres of water is tossed on the hot stones every 30 seconds. That's what I call insane!

I for one enjoy bathing in a sauna and feel that sauna is a nicely warm place for people to escape daily routines, not about baking oneself to death.

According to local rumours one or both of the competitors had refused to come out when told so. Six minutes in is not an excessive time (although the heat is a bit excessive) but the way they dispense the water to the rocks in the competition is hardcore.

The contestants do go through health checks before they can enter the competition. Personally I prefer an 80 °C hot sauna.