Sport
The Finns are mad on sport: athletics, roller-blading, ice hockey, baseball, swimming, sailing, the list goes on and on. The national game is pesäpallo, which was developed from American baseball. Their talent for sports was bought to the world's attention when Paavo Nurmi won no fewer than seven gold medals in three Olympic Games. Recent successes include Mika Häkkinen, who was the 1998 and 1999 Formula One champion. The Sports Museum of Finland is located in the Olympic Stadium (tel: (09) 434 2250), also the location for international football matches and games. Helsinki has both natural and artificial ice rinks stadiums, several swimming pools, 60 sport halls and over 180km of ski trails, so there is plenty on offer.
Golf: Helsingin golfklubi, Talin kartano (tel: (09) 550 235; fax: (09) 565 3596), offers 27 holes to visitors until 1400 (cost: FIM140). Keimola Golf Club, Kirkantie 32, 01750 Vantaa (tel: (09) 276 6650; fax: (09) 896 790), is located near the airport and offers 18 holes (cost: Monday to Friday FIM200; weekend FIM220). Both courses have a restaurant, pro shop and other facilities and require players to have a registered handicap.
Swimming: There are numerous places to swim in and around Helsinki. One of the best is the summer open-air pool, Hammarskjöldintie, 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, Tornimäentie 10, Espoo (tel: (09) 613 8411), all have pools. Other places to bathe in summer include Hietaranta Beach, Seurasaari and Pihlajasaari islands.
Roller-blading: Blading gear can be hired from Cat Sport Oy, Töölönlahti, a kiosk on the Finlandia Hall shore. Prices start at FIM25 for 30 minutes.
Tennis: Helsinki has 31 tennis clubs and eight tennis centres. Outdoor courts cost FIM60-120 for an hour, rackets can be hired for about FIM50 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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