The climate-like bear took gold in the Ice Sculpture Championships in Lahti-\”This pulls with him,\” says the sculptor

Ice sculpture showing bear. — Timo Koivisto’s Finnish Championship Gold Sculpture of 1.5 degrees is reminiscent of narrowing the lifestyle of polar bears.

The ice sculptors gathered at the Finnish Championships in Lahti this weekend. Carving ice is a passion for the creators, after which we go to the ends of the country.

The Ice Sculpture Championships took place in Lahti this weekend.

All the competition sculptors were experienced factors, many of whom have decades of experience in the sport.

Suomen Latu ry started organizing the Snow Sculpture Championships in 1980. The first competition took place in Laajavuori, Jyväskylä. Since then, competitions have been organized every year.

This year’s competition was held in the courtyard of the Lahti Motorcycle Museum, where the public had the opportunity to follow the work of the sculptors a few meters away.

– Every competitor gets the same ice cube and the result is influenced by the artistic impression, technology and, for example, how effectively he can use the material given, Kemppinen explains.

Ice sculpture is a sport that goes to the wigs of Lapland

– Ice is an excellent material! I am a carpenter by profession and with wood I always have to think about the causes and other factors of the tree, but the ice is very uniform and once and for all a great material.

The competition conditions were difficult in that the temperature was a few degrees above zero.

– Warm weather makes the ice a little soft. If you would like to glue, or freeze the parts, it doesn’t want to succeed, you are Katajisto.

Ice sculpture showing perch. — Juha Katajisto’s perch sculpture brought SM silver.

Ice sculptors use their own tools that are not restricted, ie all tools are allowed. Everyone usually has an electric chainsaw and a variety of hand tools.

Katajisto introduced a large chisel -like tool to make ice carving.

– This and all these other tools must be in top condition. This is so sharp that you could even drive a beard, says Katajisto.

The man, Juha Katajisto, makes the ice sculpture. — Juha Katajisto creates the perch from the ice cubes.

This year’s Finnish Championship was 31 for Katajisto.

– This is just so nice. The mind is resting and all the other things are forgotten, because when carved, you have to focus on doing 100 %. Other competitors have become familiar, we are all long -distance friends. Yes, this pulls with you. It’s just the same where you have to go, so always go.