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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spurs Were Optional

Splashing through water and fighting off mosquitoes, Jouni and Tiina Jussila beat a field of 27 couples Saturday in Finland, clinching the world wife-carrying title for the second year in a row. With a crowd of about 5,500 fans cheering them on, Jouni carried his 99-pound wife over the 278-yard obstacle course in 65 seconds, a second faster than their previous record. Unlike in 1996, when four couples were disqualified for exchanging roles, this year’s race went off without a hitch. The winning couple won a cellular phone, $200 in cash and the wife’s weight in beer or lemonade.