Enumclaw

[Alan H]

GREAT weekend! It was good to hang with James Gorley, and things went pretty well on Sunday. I squeezed a neprene knee support on my right knee, and then pretty much forgot about it.

Results were OK, not spectacular. I was a little bit off on my stones, but not horribly so. Weights were good, and I set a PR in the heavy weight for distance, FINALLY going over 30 feet. I had one really good light weight for distance toss that was probably 48+, but foot-fouled it so I had to settle for my two 45+ footers, perfectly acceptable. All my hammer throws were over 80 feet, and I tossed a 85+ footer out of the sector, which was a bummer, but I know that 85 is in the magazine for next time.

I got 13 in the weight over the bar for the third time this season, so I guess I can say that it's not a fluke any more. Sheaf went fine, James tells me I'm not doing anything grossly wrong, so I just need some more gym time. I smacked the sheaf into the bar at 20 twice (hosed it once) so had to settle for 18, but I bet I can get 20 by the end of the season and say that I've ventured into the realm of respectability.

All in all, a good day and I walked away with a 2nd place, having been bested by big Al Stegner from Colorado, the two-time 50-55 World Champion!

[BEEDEE]

All in all, a good day and I walked away with a 2nd place, having been bested by big Al Stegner from Colorado, the two-time 50-55 World Champion!

Way to go, Alan!!! Second to a past world champion is IMO a great day!!

Brian

[o1d_dude]

Sounds like you gave a good account of yourself, Alan.

Main thing to remember in sheaf is to keep your arms extended and use your LEGS. It helps to have a good fork, too.

As far as traveling with a fork goes, you can find a suitable case for the fork in the fishing goods aisle of your local Sport Chalet. You want the 60" long extruded plastic luggage case for fishing rods. Airline travel approved with wheels and is lockable. It will run about $70 and will handle a two tine fork that's been cut down to about 55" overall length.

[Macman]

It sounds like you had a good weekend, Alan. Congratulations on your great placing! You can certainly be satisfied with your performance.

[TimC]

Well done Alan!

-Tim

[Alan H]

It might be time to invest in a decent fork. My junker $19 manure fork from Orchard Supply is OK for learning basically what to do, but for really doing this seriously, I think I need a "real" fork.

[cessna152towser]

Well done Alan, good placing!

[o1d_dude]

It might be time to invest in a decent fork. My junker $19 manure fork from Orchard Supply is OK for learning basically what to do, but for really doing this seriously, I think I need a "real" fork.

Then make one.

Buy a $35-39 five tine fork from Lowe's/Home Depot and cut off the two outside tines. If you want a West Coast two tine fork, cut off the middle one as well. If you have an angle grinder, take the edges off the tines and then clean them up with a mill file. Finish the tines off with 220 grit wet or dry paper.

I took mine all the way down to 400 grit and then spray WD-40 on the tines before throwing. "Slicker than owl snot" is the saying I believe. When your fork is that slick, you've got to have good technique and timing otherwise you will lose the bag.

You're looking at about 2-3 hours work to get to that point. If you go crazy and paint it, etc., allow more time. I also cut mine down to a 51" overall length so I can stow it in a shotgun case for traveling purposes.

BTW, the Cunningham clan motto is "Over Fork Over" so you know I take this stuff seriously.

[Alan H]

Exactly, Kit...that's the plan; cut down a 5 tine to a 2-tine and smooth it up real pretty.