Cross-country skier's private parts freeze in sub-zero Finland event

FILE PHOTO: FIS Nordic Skiing World Cup - Cross-Country - Men's 15km Classic Competition - Ruka, Finland - November 25, 2018. Calle Halfvarsson of Sweden crosses the finish line. Lehtikuva/Markku Ulander via REUTERS/File Photo

(Reuters) - The sub-zero temperatures in Ruka in northern Finland took their toll on Swedish cross-country skier Calle Halfvarsson during a 20 km mass start event on Sunday as he lost all feeling in his private parts.

As the race began the mercury plummeted to minus 15 Celsius (5 Fahrenheit). The 34-year-old eventually crossed the line in 18th place before rushing to the tents where the athletes were warming themselves back up.