My second competition results

[Ryan Nielson]

Baker Valley Highland Games in oregon

competed as c class this time

WFH - 11 feet w/ 56lb. weight
Sheaf - 15 feet w/ 20lb. weight
Heavy Hammer - only 47'9" (fouled 2 of my good throws that were much better, maybe around 60 feet)
Light hammer - 75'3" (pretty happy with that one)
WFD heavy - 56lb. weight for 18'7"
WFD light - 28lb. weight for 40'10"
Braemar - 25lb. stone for 23'9"
Openstone - 18lb. stone for 28'7"
Caber - turned a 17 foot caber to 60 degrees, noone turned it successfully

I did ok but was not at my best, I hit better numbers than this in practice and the heavy hammer was a total disaster.

[Detroitpete]

Good job! How many more for you this year?

[Ryan Nielson]

about 4 more weeks there will be another one in my hometown boise that I'll do then probably no more till next year.

[mbhandy]

Still I have to give you credit for trying than not to have tried at all.

MrBill

[Detroitpete]

Ryan,

I've got 2 left for sure, but trying to get one in NC--but that will do it for the year. I'll have to bug ya for off-season training hints then ;-)

[Ryan Nielson]

Ryan,

I've got 2 left for sure, but trying to get one in NC--but that will do it for the year. I'll have to bug ya for off-season training hints then ;-)

Great good luck to you. I got one video processed of my 75'3" light hammer throw here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIXNr-5bLfk

[Alan H]

Great good luck to you. I got one video processed of my 75'3" light hammer throw here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIXNr-5bLfk

Long arms mate... If you hit 75 feet like that, you'll break 85 feet soon.

Next practices, be thinking about getting the hammer as far out in front of you as you can. Straighten your arms, get that weight as FAR AWAY from you as you possibly can, and then get the weight as far away from you BEHIND you as you can.

radius is everything.

Then, practice with a 9 lb hammer a bit to develop speed, and really try to accelerate the last spin, and SNAP the release. The last 1/2 a spin should be on the raw edge of control as you **SNAP** the release....

and throw high! LOL

I can't say much about the other events, but hammer is my best event.....

[Ryan Nielson]

Alright I'll keep trying.

[Ayin McFye]

Great job Ryan. I wish I had your strength to be able to do so well from the get go. I have to rely a lot more on momentum and torque than strength due to my size. I'm 200lbs but I'm still a pretty scrawny guy compared to most highland athletes. Most of my numbers are drastically lower than yours.

I will be competing in November in Tuscon, but I'm not going out there to necessarily win, I just want to have decent form, to be able to throw decent scores and end up in the middle of the pack somewhere. I just want to have a good time. You have the ability to actually compete and with enough practice, start winning some games.

Here are my average scores

LWD- 34ft
HWD- 21ft
Lgt Hmr-59 ft
Hvy Hmr- 36 ft
Put Stone- 28ft
Braemer- 21ft
Weight over Bar - I have no clue, but it's not very good
Caber- Never thrown
Sheaf- Never thrown

Some of those scores aren't my best, just my average, but I've been throwing for a few months now, and my numbers seem to be drastically slowing down. I haven't seen much improvement lately at all.

So anyways, back to the point, I think you're doing awesome for the C class for sure. Keep up the great work, and good luck at your next games.

[Detroitpete]

Ryan,

WOW that looked TOO easy for you! I expected that typical "I'm gonna loose control" overswing on the last rotation--but you were smooth. Nice job! Hate to see what you could do with boot blades and a bit more of a lean back in your swing.

When you engage your lower body a bit more my guess is than 100 ft. plus isn't going to be a problem for you. You're basically getting as far as you are right now with JUST your upper body!

I'm sort of stuck horsing the hammers from mostly the waist up until my knee can take a bit more flex.

Good job!!!