Thornton Celtic Festival and Highland Games

I got back after it at the Thornton Celtic Festival in a Men Master class of 4 athletes (Mike and Brent from Colorado Scottish Festival, plus Mike and myself).

I improved nearly across the board:

• Braemar Stone - 15'-10.25 inches to 17'-6.5"
• Open Stone - 20'-5.375" to  21'-8.625"
• Heavy Weight for Distance - 15'-1.25" to 15'-11"
• Light Weight for Distance - 18'-2.125" to 24'-10.25"
• Heavy Hammer - 38'-0" to 37'-0.25" (went down)
• Light Hammer - 45'-0" to 51'-7.875"
• Caber - 30 degrees to 65 degrees
• Sheaf Toss - 13' to 14' (still did not clear the minimum bar)
• Weight Over Bar - 10' (no improvement)

Jeremiah was our judge.  I also met Shannon who practiced with me in Arvada and Karen the scorekeeper.  We competed with the Grand Masters (60+) including Skip, Craig and Ron.  These guys were beasts and were besting me on each of the events as well.

• Braemar Stone - no coaching cues
• Open Stone - no coaching cues
• Heavy Weight for Distance - use one turn, start facing 3:00 position
• Light Weight for Distance - use one turn, start facing 3:00 position
• Heavy Hammer - generate more speed, be aware of low point
• Light Hammer - generate more speed
• Caber - balance caber in the air, rotate so any bend in facing me, wide stance, bend at waist so light on shoulder, conform body to caber, get low so interlaced fingers are practically under the caber, lift straight up if light enough or straight pop if necessary, regain balance once standing, tip forward with shoulder, chase it and flip.
• Sheaf Toss - 3 swings and then go from L to drive up, long loose arms, violent explosion to flick the sheaf, all power should be up
• Weight Over Bar - be patient as it comes up between legs and then drive

Thornton was a nice venue and I would like to compete next year.  It was nice having my own fork, but I definitely need to practice a lot more.  Depending on the offseason, I will buy a heavy weight over bar in the Spring.

To be in the mix, my throws need to improve significantly

• Braemar Stone - 15'-10.25 inches to 17'-6.5"**Get to 22'
• Open Stone - 20'-5.375" to  21'-8.625"**Get to 27'
• Heavy Weight for Distance - 15'-1.25" to 15'-11"**Get to 25'
• Light Weight for Distance - 18'-2.125" to 24'-10.25"**Get to 40'
• Heavy Hammer - 38'-0" to 37'-0.25" (went down)**Get to 50'
• Light Hammer - 45'-0" to 51'-7.875"**Get to 70'
• Caber - 30 degrees to 65 degrees**Flip it
• Sheaf Toss - 13' to 14' (still did not clear the minimum bar)**Get to 20' (easiest to practice in the yard)
• Weight Over Bar - 10' (no improvement)