broke 30 on open stone

[Ryan Nielson]

Had some pretty good throwing this weekend at our little black sheep open called Scotstoberfest held at the wood river winery in Eagle Idaho.

I had been practicing the spin and glide a lot and thought I could make that work. Last week went back into a simple shuffle with a big pop at the end throwing my block arm hard and was throwing much further with that. So yesterday with a 19lb. open stone I just went out there and threw at 30'7" on my first attempt with the shuffle. It was my goal for 2009 to break 30 and i didn't think I would do it cause it's about the end of the year. I also threw some small personal records 25'7" on braemar and 82'7" on light hammer. Last year I broke 80 on light hammer but I have not broken 80ft all year till just now.

On the LWFD just last week I threw 2 in a row at 49 feet in practice with no warmup at all so I thought I might have something nice at this games, but once again it all fell apart and my best was only at about 40. I seem to choke at the contest but throw well when practicing it alone.

[Detroitpete]

OUTSTANDING Ryan!!!!!!!!! That HAD to feel great. There's something about getting that 'pop' at the end and seeing the arc of the stone taking it down range. Chances are that the 'pop' also came with your chest and head pointed up.

Well done!

Sometimes when ya' pick up a stone, ya' just got to feel it wanting to 'fly'

[Livingston]

On the LWFD just last week I threw 2 in a row at 49 feet in practice with no warmup at all so I thought I might have something nice at this games, but once again it all fell apart and my best was only at about 40. I seem to choke at the contest but throw well when practicing it alone.

I'd suggest replace the tape measure you're using at practice. Obviously it is missing a few feet from the beggining of it.

[Alan H]

Good on ye, Ryan. I also wanted to break 30, didn't quite do it, so now I have a goal for next year...

We haven't seen you here much for a few months, check in, now and then.