Sport
The Finns are mad on sport. Athletics, roller-blading, ice hockey, baseball, swimming, sailing – the list goes on and on. Helsinki has both natural and artificial ice rinks, stadiums, several swimming pools, 60 sport halls and over 180km (112 miles) of ski trails, so there is plenty on offer. The national game is pespallo, which is derived from American baseball. HJK Helsinki (website: www.hjk.fi) is the city’s main football club, based at the Finnair Stadium, Urheilukatu 1 (tel: (09) 7421 6300; website: www.finnairstadium.fi). In November 2002, the team proved itself to be Finland’s most successful football team, by securing its 20th Finnish Championship title. Other recent Finnish successes include Mika Hkkinen, who was the 1998 and 1999 Formula One motoracing champion. The Sports Museum of Finland (tel: (09) 434 2250) is located in the Olympic Stadium, Paavo Nurmentie 1 (tel: (09) 440 363), which is also the location for international football matches and games.
Tickets to sporting events are available online through Lippupalvelu Oy (tel: (09) 613 8611; fax: (09) 6138 6299; website: www.lippupalvelu.fi), Finland’s nationwide ticket retailer.
Fitness centres: Frisk Alexium, Aleksanterinkatu 15 (tel: (09) 612 9010; website: www.elixia.com) is a fully equipped health and fitness centre, open daily.
Golf: Helsingin golfklubi, Talin kartano (tel: (09) 550 235; fax: (09) 565 3596), offers 27 holes to visitors until 1400, at a cost of 23.50. Keimola Golf Club, Kirkantie 32, Vantaa (tel: (09) 276 6650; fax: (09) 896 790), is located near the airport and has an 18-hole course, with green fees at 33.50 (Monday-Friday) and 37 (weekend). Both courses have a restaurant, pro shop and other facilities and require players to have a registered handicap.
Roller-blading: Blading gear can be hired from Cat Sport Oy, Tlnlahti, a kiosk on the Finlandia Hall shore. Prices start at 4 for 30 minutes of hire.
Swimming: One of the best places for a dip is the summer open-air pool, Hammarskjldintie, near the Olympic Stadium (tel: (09) 3108 77854). Otherwise the Olympic Stadium, Stadium Tower, Paavo Nurmentie 1 (tel: (09) 440 363), and the Serena Leisure Centre, Tornimentie 10, Espoo (tel: (09) 8870 5555), both have pools. Other places for visitors to bathe in summer include Hietaranta Beach and Seurasaari and Pihlajasaari islands.
Tennis: Helsinki has 31 tennis clubs and eight tennis centres. Outdoor courts cost 10-20 for an hour and rackets can be hired for about 8.50 per day. The Finnish Tennis Association, Varikkotie 4 (tel: (09) 341 7130; fax: (09) 331 105), can provide a list of clubs.
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Sport