University of Tartu won this year’s Student Winter Games

From 31 January to 2 February, the 9th edition of the traditional Student Winter Games took place in Kääriku. The overall winner for the fifth time in a row was the University of Tartu.

As many as 168 students represented the University of Tartu. Competitions were held in 19 events, five of which had separate divisions for men and women. UT students made it to the podium on 21 occasions, bringing home five gold, nine silver and seven bronze medals.

One of the most successful events for us was the obstacle race, where UT students received first place in the women’s division and first and third place in the men’s division. Our other gold medal performances were in money shot, rubber boots hockey and the quiz.

The most active UT students were Mark Sverker Saar and Hendrik Saliste. Both represented the University of Tartu in ten events.

Besides students, the universities’ rectors, teaching staff and mascots competed against each other. Student and coach Ragnar Rooba, who competed as the UT mascot Tiksu, took second place in the mascots’ competition.

The overall winner was decided based on the total points scored in all events. The University of Tartu scored 222 points at this year’s winter games.

The traditional Student Winter Games are a sports and entertainment event organised by the Estonian Academic Sports Federation as part of the Ylisport series of competitions, where students from Estonian higher education institutions can challenge themselves. This year, 850 people from 17 universities and higher education institutions took part in the Winter Games.

The games have been organised since 2016. The Ylisport series also includes the Student Summer Games and the YliBall ball game festival taking place in autumn. The 25th Student Summer Games will take place from 27 to 29 June 2025.

See the results on the home page of Ylisport.