First Highland Games Experience

[Ryan Nielson]

I've been lifting weights, powerlifting and strongman since I was in high school. I've been at it 20 years now. Always wanted to compete in highland games. I just competed in West Valley Heavy Events in Caldwell, Idaho this past weekend. I'm 5'10" 240lbs. and 35 years old will be a masters before long.

I competed with my brother in the Novice division. I had only 3 weeks to train on the implements and managed 4th place out of 7 competitors. Here were my numbers roughly. I don't have the exact numbers till results are posted.

Weight over bar: 13 feet with 42lb. implement (2nd best throw in novice)
Braemar stone: 23 feet with 24lb. stone
Open stone: 26.5 feet with 16lb. stone
Light WFD: 36 feet with 28lb. implement
Heavy WFD: 26 feet with 42lb. implement
Light hammer: 68 feet
Heavy hammer: 50 feet (2nd best throw in novice division)
Caber: 14 foot caber turned 11:45, 1:00, 1:00
Sheaf: 18 feet

I hope to compete again in september and put up some much better numbers with more experience and time.

[James MacMillan]

from Sunny Southern California, just outside the back gate of Camp Pendleton!

[Yaish]

Great numbers! Those are pretty solid for C class too. That 13 ft WOB is probably like a 10 or 11 ft with the 56lb, and that 23ft 42lb throw is probably about a 19 with the 56lb.

Good job all around. Got any pictures?

[McClef]

Glad you had a great time and from South Wales UK!

[Ryan Nielson]

[Ayin McFye]

Great job! I just started practicing with Arizona Scot on Monday. It was A LOT of fun!

[Ryan Nielson]

Thanks everyone. I think this is a lot of fun and will definately be competing again. My brother Jay had even less experience he got one practice with a few events before he entered this. Considering that he did ok for himself. Also got to admit I can't yet find any scottish blood in my family, mostly danish, some icelandic and english, but I have begun some geneology research so I might have some I'm not aware of.

[Alan H]

GREAT! Sounds like you had fun, and you've got some good numbers there, too.

GOOD ON YA, MATE!

[Arizona Scot]

Welcome aboard and sound like you had a pretty good game, just started practicing myself looking forward to competing in Nov. in Tucson Az.

[Detroitpete]

So this is how THIS addiction begins, eh? :-) Cool