Cork pair scoop world wife-carrying championship title

AN Irish man and woman have beaten the Finns at their own game.

They upstaged the very best the Nordic tribes could throw at them to win this year’s World Wife-Carrying Championships staged in Finland.

The Cork duo aren’t actually married, or even engaged – but the Finns didn’t seem to mind.

Friends Ciara Crossan and James Fitzpatrick only started to practice a day before the competition.

They won the title of most entertaining couple after a hilarious showing on the obstacle course.

James, a 24-year-old architecture student from Blackrock, Cork, had to carry his friend, Ciara Crossan, through the course which included water features.

Ciara, a 27-year-old from Kerry Pike, Cork, who runs a wedding website, said the Finns had a really good sense of humour.

“I’ve never felt so welcome in a place before. We’ll definitely be back next year to defend our title,” James said.

Ciara also competed in the relay competition, where she was effectively passed as a baton between James, Vincent O’Sullivan from Waterville and his Caherdaniel-born brother-in-law Gerard O’Shea.

They ended up winning a bronze medal.

The Irish version of the competition will be staged at the Sneem Family Festival in Co Kerry on July 25.

For more information on the event log onto www.sneemfestival.com