Frozen Stones Jan 1 2009

[Ryan Nielson]

I thought I wouldn't compete till spring. they are going to hold a contest close to where I live Caldwell, ID in the middle of winter new years day. Will be the first competition of 2009. We will try to do about 6 events but it will be weather permitting on exactly which events will be done. This is listed here http://www.saaa-net.org/calendar.html

I have no training for this at all but I think after such a long break who knows I might throw nicely. Especially since I will have forgotten all the bad form habits I have picked up. Now how to dress and stay warm enough in a kilt may be an issue but weather could be not too bad who knows. Instead of having t-shirts for the competitors they will have sweatshirts which I thought was a really cool idea.

[jgorley]

I got the email about this games as well. Unfortunately due to work obligations I won't be making it. I really wanted to. Thought it would be fun trying to keep the skin of my hands from freezing to the stones and weights. Maybe next year. If this was on a Friday or Saturday I would be there for sure!!

James

[Alan H]

Sounds like fun Yeah, dress WARM!!!

[Detroitpete]

You western boys have ALL the fun! Hey wait, I've been practicing here in Michigan since my season ended. My stones have been frozen since October ;-)

Have a blast--throw hard!

[Ryan Nielson]

Probably about 28 degrees I'm guessing and 20 mile an hour winds which seemed to make it feel MUCH more cold. We had a little practice and quite a few guys showed up. We were pretty freaking cold. Tossing the caber is a totally new experience in cold like that. It's been rained on, snowed on and then frozen solid they all felt much heavier, and the pain on your hands, joints, face makes throwing it much less enjoyable. I threw the hammer pretty good, didn't measure it but I am not far off my best numbers at all on that. All the other events felt a bit awkward and the sheaf was pathetic like it usually is. It was funny watching the creative ways people were trying to stay warm and get a practice in. It was really fun to be able to have a practice again after so long though. I heard we will have a few guys coming from California and Oregon area competing in this. I don't know if they are used to cold weather I hope they have fun. I will try to get a lot of pictures of this event for sure.

The real highlight will be to toss a caber on the first day of 2009. I heard we will probably be getting a large canvas tent with a wood burning stove put in it so we can go in and warm up for a bit between throwing. Life is good. See ya.

[Carolinascot]

Sounds like a perfect start to the new year...Best of luck to you!

[Ryan Nielson]

Here's some video highlights of my throwing on that day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPHYYPsHCW8

Not exactly sure on all these numbers but:

- I threw the heavy hammer at 66 foot 6 which is only one foot from my best

- Braemar 24lb. stone at 25 feet (new personal record)

- Open 18lb. stone at 28 feet 10 (about ties my best)

- LWFD ended up at 43 feet 8 I think (new personal record by 2 feet)

- Turned the caber nicely

- WFH was terrible throwing in the mud with an implement I didn't like much only managed at 10 foot 6

[Detroitpete]

Ryan,

First you get props for just throwing in that weather! Man did your form on WFD improve from the first toss. Release late and it cuts your distance. I threw with Kerry Overfelt this year and he really helped me focus on the release. From your last spin, 3/4 or the way through, pull that bad boy right from the ground on that natural arc your body has created from your momentum. If you bail out half way, you'll notice that you wind up short of the trig and way over to the left--then you're left trying to muscle it out there with just arm strentgh.

Looked like a nasty stick! Good turn!

[Ryan Nielson]

Thanks I was happy with my WFD throw. it has improved some finally but I could do much better with more time. Some of those were practice throws and didn't count. I fouled on my first 2 throws and my 3rd one I had to make I finally had a good legal throw on that one. What helped me on it was just to not think about too many things at once. I was only focusing on landing with the weight by my back pocket right when my feet hit the ground the rest just came together by luck and instinct I guess. Throwing much looser and natural that way.

My hammer is really feeling good I think I will do very well with it this year. It has turned into my strongest event.

[Detroitpete]

Great job Ryan!