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Lodi Area XC Ski Club
Annual Wife Carrying Contests
Dating back to nineteenth century Finland where bandits would steal women from
villages, a Wife Carrying Contest is a sport where a male competitor will carry his wife
(however, she does not have to be the legal wife of the man) over a short obstacle course
for the fastest time. Traditionally, the grand winner will take home the "wife's" weight in
beer and cash.
Contests and Events:
Wife Carrying Contest
Ages: 21-34, 35-49, 50 and over
Awards: Top two in each age division receive an award. Overall winning couple will
take home their wife's weight in BEER and CASH!
Wife Ferrying Contest
Ages: 15-20, 21-34, 35-49, 50 and over
Awards: Top two in each age division receive an award. Overall winning couple will
take home their a case of BEER or SPORTS DRINKS!
Kid's Duck Carrying Dash
Ages: 5-7, 8-11, 12-15
Awards: Top two in each age division receive an award.
How to Master the Wife Carrying Contest:
Attitude: The best way to approach this race is with a positive manner and humor. “This
is not about having your name in the paper or taking home some ribbon. This is about
enduring strength and winning your wife’s weight in beer!” Those worried about safety
should stay home!
Carrying Techniques: The amount of ways to carry one’s wife is endless. Feel free to
come with your own style! The most common practiced include: piggyback, fireman’s
carry (over the shoulders), or Estonian-style (the wife hangs upside-down with her legs
around the husband's shoulders, holding onto his waist). Any technique that keeps the
wife off the ground at all times is allowed. Note: contestants are not allowed to use any
equipment other than a belt and the wife must where a helmet at all times!
Racecourse: The route is approximately 240 meters (263 yards) with dry obstacles
(hurdles), including a bridge. It will consist mainly of grass with a little incline towards the
end of the race.
Female competitor: The minimum weight allowed is 107 lbs. If the wife does not fit this
regulation, she will be burdened with a heavy rucksack so that the total weight will equal
107 lbs. The winner of the contest will have to sit on a scale where race officials will pile
beer on the other end to equal her weight. For the cash gift, 1 lb equals $1.00.
Training and preparation: It is possible to train for the Wife Carrying Contest (ferrying as
well) and may perhaps even improve one’s relationship for it provides excellent quality
bonding time! The times and locations are endless. The male can work his way up to
the wife, if necessary, by going on runs or sprinting with a weighted backpack.
2009 Sponsors
Dating back to nineteenth century Finland where bandits would steal women from
villages, a Wife Carrying Contest is a sport where a male competitor will carry his wife
(however, she does not have to be the legal wife of the man) over a short obstacle course
for the fastest time. Traditionally, the grand winner will take home the "wife's" weight in
beer and cash.
Contests and Events:
Wife Carrying Contest
Ages: 21-34, 35-49, 50 and over
Awards: Top two in each age division receive an award. Overall winning couple will
take home their wife's weight in BEER and CASH!
Wife Ferrying Contest
Ages: 15-20, 21-34, 35-49, 50 and over
Awards: Top two in each age division receive an award. Overall winning couple will
take home their a case of BEER or SPORTS DRINKS!
Kid's Duck Carrying Dash
Ages: 5-7, 8-11, 12-15
Awards: Top two in each age division receive an award.
How to Master the Wife Carrying Contest:
Attitude: The best way to approach this race is with a positive manner and humor. “This
is not about having your name in the paper or taking home some ribbon. This is about
enduring strength and winning your wife’s weight in beer!” Those worried about safety
should stay home!
Carrying Techniques: The amount of ways to carry one’s wife is endless. Feel free to
come with your own style! The most common practiced include: piggyback, fireman’s
carry (over the shoulders), or Estonian-style (the wife hangs upside-down with her legs
around the husband's shoulders, holding onto his waist). Any technique that keeps the
wife off the ground at all times is allowed. Note: contestants are not allowed to use any
equipment other than a belt and the wife must where a helmet at all times!
Racecourse: The route is approximately 240 meters (263 yards) with dry obstacles
(hurdles), including a bridge. It will consist mainly of grass with a little incline towards the
end of the race.
Female competitor: The minimum weight allowed is 107 lbs. If the wife does not fit this
regulation, she will be burdened with a heavy rucksack so that the total weight will equal
107 lbs. The winner of the contest will have to sit on a scale where race officials will pile
beer on the other end to equal her weight. For the cash gift, 1 lb equals $1.00.
Training and preparation: It is possible to train for the Wife Carrying Contest (ferrying as
well) and may perhaps even improve one’s relationship for it provides excellent quality
bonding time! The times and locations are endless. The male can work his way up to
the wife, if necessary, by going on runs or sprinting with a weighted backpack.
2009 Sponsors
2009 Details
WCC Results 09
Congratulations to all
participants of the 2009
Contests.
Registration Form
Sign up for the contests to be
held on Sunday, July 12, 2009.
Rules and Regulations
Table of rules and information
about how to compete in each
event.
WCC Results 09
Congratulations to all
participants of the 2009
Contests.
Registration Form
Sign up for the contests to be
held on Sunday, July 12, 2009.
Rules and Regulations
Table of rules and information
about how to compete in each
event.
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