Those crazy Finns.

Today kicks off the 8th annual Sauna World Championships in Heinola, Finland. Pink and wrinkled athletes from all over the world (although most likely just from Finland), will compete against each other to see who can stand the heat the longest.

Saunas will be cranked up to 230 degrees Fahrenheit and every 30 seconds a half-liter of water will be tossed on the sauna rocks, producing a scalding steam that opens the pores and shucks meat off the bones like a stewed rabbit. Last man standing is given the honorary title of "Stu" and then summarily eaten by the small town of Heinola where the competition takes place.

Okay, kidding about the last part, but the competition is indeed real.

Filed under: Festivals and Events, Finland