A local man has triumphed against strong international competition to take gold in the Mobile Phone Throwing World Championship in Savolinna, Reuters reports.

Showing a field including Belgians, Canadians, and Russians exactly how it's done, Lassi Etelatalo lobbed a scrapped Nokia 89 metres to secure the crown.

Silver went to Dutchman Elie Rugthoven in the freestyle event. His projected mobile came to earth outside the official landing zone, but his "phone juggling performance that impressed the judges" was enough to earn a place on the podium.

Competition founder Christine Lund described the event as "a good source of light exercise with an environmentally friendly twist". She explained: "There are a lot of mobile phones on the second-hand market, and we are recycling them."

The model of Nokia favoured by the winner is not noted, but there is evidently some science involved. Lund elaborated: "People choose by size, by colour, or by how it fits in the hand...Some believe a heavy model will ensure a long throw, some want a light one." ®

Bootnote

We at El Reg are disappointed at the apparent lack of UK representation in Savolinna. Sadly, reports that Naomi Campbell will next year fly the flag for Blighty are unconfirmed.

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