After a year’s hiatus, the Cigar Smoking World Championship is back in Finland. Just like in 2023, slow smokers from all over Finland gathered at the legendary Kirjaclub in Helsinki, and it turned out to be one of the most thrilling qualifiers so far this season. It all came down to a duel between the runner-up from 2023, Matti Vesala, and the second runner-up from 2022, Harri Kalliokoski. The room was held in suspense right down to the final draw, a true photo finish which will probably be remembered for seasons to come.
“There was a moment when no one could tell who would come out on top,” organizer and CSWC ambassador Petteri Patjas remarked. “You could feel the pressure in the silence.”
In the end, Vesala’s cigar lasted 20 seconds longer than Kalliokoski’s, as he reached 1 hour 24 minutes and 15 seconds.
“There are victories, and then there are battles won by the breath of a second,” CSWC founder Marko Bilic says. “That was the story in Helsinki.”
Third place went to former Finnish champion, Niko Saari, at 1 hour 19 minutes and 30 seconds.
“While not enough to reclaim the title this time, his performance solidified his status as one of Finland’s most experienced and respected competitors,” Bilic concludes.
- Matti Vesala 1:24:15
- Harri Kalliokoski 1:23:55
- Niko Saari 1:19:30
