Russian Man Expires In Sauna Competition

A heat endurance competition in Finland took a tragic turn over the weekend. Finnish news agency STT reports that Vladimir Ladyzhensky - a Russian man competing in the annual World Sauna Championships in Heinola, Finland - has died. Ladyzhensky was rushed to a local hospital after collapsing approximately six minutes into competition. Ladyzhensky was one of two finalists vying to remain in a sauna heated to 230 degrees. The other finalist - Timo Kauonen of Finland - also collapsed and is currently receiving medical care. Event organizers are claiming that all competition rules were observed and that the 135 participants passed medical screenings. Police have launched an investigation into the sauna contest that got its start in 1999.