Scandal hits wife-carrying contest…
The St. Hilaire’s didn’t win, but competed in style.
Wife-carrying contest
By a margin of only a third of a second, a Boston couple claimed victory at the 8th annual North American Wife Carrying Championships held Saturday at Sunday River Ski Resort.“We could never expect something this good,” said Keith Cardoza after successfully bringing Julia Stoner, his girlfriend of six months, through the 253.3 meter course.
For the victory, Cardoza and Stoner may receive $1,000 toward a trip to attend the World Wife Carrying Championships in Finland. The couple were also awarded a check for $675 (five times Stoner’s weight) and Stoner’s weight in beer. The latter amounted to nine twelve-pack cases.
OK, so there’s no scandal, but here’s my questions. First of all, how can the winners NOT be married? If it’s a wife-carrying contest, then you must carry a wife. I guess the rules have changed over the centuries. The official rules say, The wife to be carried may be your own, the neighbour’s or you may have found her farther afield; she must, however, be over 17 years of age. NO mention of a girlfriend.
Secondly, what beer did they receive as a prize? Would you compete for nine cases of Miller Lite? Probably not. Would you compete for nine cases of Moose Drool? More likely.
The rules state that teams must consist of one male and one female. There need be no relation between the two. In fact, the woman can even carry the man. I don’t think Julia would have enjoyed carrying me much. Wife Carrying is just an easy way of classifying it with an entertaining title.
Second note, we won Bud Light. We were in it for the fun of competing, and also, for a chance at winning, but never did we expect to come out as the champions. The Bud Light and the money were nice prizes, and are certainly appreciated. Free beer is free beer in my book.
- Keith Cardoza
North American Wife Carrying Champ
Mr. Cardoza! Thanks for commenting on my blog. I’m glad you took my comments in the humorous light they were written! The contest was discussed on local radio here in Minneapolis, especially the Estonian carrying method . I’m glad in this crazy world people like you take time out to compete for fun; you really put a smile on my face.
Congratulations to you and Julia on your win!