Cold and Breezy Weather Prevents Javelin Throwers from Reaching Island Prize Standard

By Adam Kopet

The men's javelin at Tuesday's Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland, had attracted the top throwers in the world as the winner had a chance to win the deed to an island in the Turku Archipelago. To earn that bonus, the winner needed to throw over 305-5 (93.09m).

Unfortunately, the weather could be to blame for that standard not being met. It was about 50 degrees Fahrenheit during the competition with winds that might have also hampered performance. However, while many of the athletes struggled with the conditions, Magnus Kirt of Estonia won the event with a national record 291-1 (88.73m). He was the only athlete in the javelin to set a personal best.

RESULTS

2016 Olympic champion Thomas Rohler of Germany finished second with a best throw of 287-1 (87.51m) and Andreas Hoffman, also of Germany, was third with a throw of 282-1 (85.98m).

In other throwing action in Turku, Sandra Perkovic of Croatia won again in the women's discus with a throw of 217-3 (66.22m) and Wojciech Nowicki of Poland won the men's hammer with a mark of 260-6 (79.41m).