IT SEEMS that the Brits are better at throwing mobile phones than the Finns. But the Finns won't recognise the UK's best throw as they weren't officiating at the time.

Brit, Chris Hughff, could be set to win the UK's national handset throwing competition for the third year running later this month.

Last year Hughff set an unofficial world record by throwing a phone 95.83 metres which is almost one metre further than the official record of 94.97 metres. That record was set by Finn, Mikko Lampi back in 2005.

The UK event – being billed as the UK Mobile phone Throwing Championships - is being organised by Ross Williams of 8thdayuk.co.uk.

The UK event is going to be staged at the Old Hamptonians Rugby Club in Hampton – which is just inside the Greater London boundary - on Sunday 31st August.

However, Williams complains that unless he flies officials from Savonlinna in Finland over, they won't count any new records.

Williams told the INQ, "We don't have the budget to fly them over and I don't see it as necessary - we know we can measure accurately!"

Savonlinna Festivals say the next official phone throwing championships are due to take place in Estonia (Narva Castle) on Saturday 23^rd August. Of course, Estonia is a mere ferry ride away from Finland.

Savonlinna claims to be affiliated with national championships in Germany and Switzerland as well as Norway. The INQ can't find any evidence of the Norwegian one but the Dutch and the Belgians appear to be affiliated.

Williams says only the first 200 competitors are guaranteed to get their three throws for a fiver (the entry fee).

At present only about 20 people are officially registered for the Brit event because most people sign up on the day. Just to placate the Finns, Williams is including an under-12 category for children.

Savonlinna says that phone throwers should be able to compete in the 'original' category - a straight-arm over-the-shoulder pitch as well as in a 'freestyle' category where points are also given for style, character and costume.

There's no testing for 'doping' but a general standard of sobriety is required. That could be a problem for us Brits, then.

You can sign up for the UK event here

This particular INQ hack won't have much trouble finding the venue having spent years trudging across the club's grounds to get to school. µ

L'Inq
Finns throw handsets further