Intrepid W+K explorers Paulo Salomao, Matt Owen, Scott Dungate & Kevin Chesters ventured boldly to Northern Lapland last week for the XVth Finlandia Vodka World Cup.

After a full day of meetings on Monday the team was whisked up to Kittila above the Artic Circle for the annual vodka contest that began on Tuesday evening. The team was wrapped up rather warm but the temperatures had luckily risen to a balmy -12c by the time we arrived.

The contest, created and hosted by Finlandia, brings together the top barmen of the world to compete in finding the best aperitif and long drink made with Finlandia vodka.

The contest was fast and furious, and for those who spoke no English possibly a little confusing too! But everyone seemed pretty happy and the contest itself was pretty awesome.

I'll post more soon about what happened during the day before the contest began but as this was Finland it inevitably involved taking your clothes off. Here is a little teaser featuring the team, and our much-loved client Alex:

Oh, and this happened…

and Paulo was pretty happy about it

Kippis!!!!

In the next instalment…..Ice Hotels….snowshoe racing…..and Kev Chesters gets appointed as a judge at the vodka cup.