Review
Brent:
What a great competition. I was just a lowly equipment mover (First time I have done that) so, even thought there were some events I really wanted to do, actually everything but log and deadlift, it was still fun to watch, cheer and help. Brian, Barry and Niel did an excellent job, as did all the competitors, judges refs etc. The weather was not that cooperative, and we had a rain delay doing the Hercules Hold. Crowd was ok, but weather kept the numbers down from what it could have been. Impressive performances by everyone, with top 5 spots within 8 points of each other. For me, it was really weird to try and work around the tv crew, but thing we did all right. Was great to talk to Hugo, and hear is humorous commentary. Sam Dube was announcing, and he did an excellent job, and was also very interesting to talk to (and to try and gain advice from!)
Ryan:
In the last event, the Medley, The final two competitors to go were Geoff and Brad. Partial tear to his calf or not, Geoff was not going to give up his title without a fight to the finish, even though he had already secured his spot in the top 3 and qualified for Canada's Strongest Man regardless of his finish here. Geoff was heavily taped up and had to beat Brad in this event to retain his title. A valiant effort but it was not to be as Geoff at some point during the medley turned the partial tear of the muscle in his calf into a complete tear. The new Western Canada's Strongest Man is Brad "The Bus" Provick followed by Geoff Dolan and Gino Gastonguay respectively. All three now qualify for the 2004 Canada's Strongest Man Competition to be held this September in Gatineau, Quebec. I for one am very proud to have these three guys representing the West and they will definitely be a force in that competition.
Honorable mention to Scott Cummine and Travis Bloomer, the two youngest guys in the event. Scott has come a long way since last year and He will be a huge force in the West in the not too distant future. This was Travis' first event... nothing like jumping right in with both feet. Despite not having done any of the events, Travis did very well and also has a bright future ahead of him in Strongman should he decide to stick with it.
Prizes
N/A

Harness Truck Pull
Review
Ryan:
The first event was a grueling one. I have pulled a lot of trucks over the years and have pulled a semi and trailer before but this one for some reason seemed particularly difficult. A very thick ground rope was used which was very hard on the forearms and hands. Geoff Dolan won this event showing flawless technique pulling that big semi and trailer. I came in second in this event with a lot of the times from 2nd down being very close.
Brent:
The big ATLAS LINES semi looked impressive. I have never pulled a semi, but it did look pretty hard. Everyone did do a complete pull so that really says something for everyone here. The first few feet looked like the hardest, as there was a definitely a little rise they had to get the semi over at the start. The more experienced athletes really tightened up before the start. I had to hold it back myself until the go signal and me and Geoff had our own little competition, me trying to hold him back and he trying to go! Geoff had a pretty easy win here, with Ryan, Brad and Scott all with it a second of each other for 3rd, 4th, and 5th respectively.
Rules
Pull a semi with trailer attached over 80 feet. Fastest time or furthest distance wins.

Hercules Hold
Review
Ryan
Unfortunately I had my head in the garbage can following the truck pull so I missed seeing most of this event. When they called my name I pulled my head out, walked up, and put up the worst time. With only Geoff remaining, all of the sudden it started pouring rain and everyone was running for cover. Geoff had to wait until the downpour stopped. Everything had to be taken off the ground as there was a river running under the competitor's tent (which became the EVERYONE tent during the rain). Fortunately this did not last long. When Geoff went up for the Hercules hold he showed his experience once again by using a slight lean backwards bringing the cylinders of the Hercules Hold slightly higher thus taking some of the pressure off the grip.
Brent:
We bumped the Pulse Hercules hold apparatus up to 270lbs per side in plates. (Not sure what that means in real weight). The apparatus had recently been modified to give the competitors more room to move the columns with out touching. Also, a new release was added that dropped both columns at once. Seemed to work well! Gino had the big hold, going for 51 seconds. Provick could not last quite as long and got 2nd. Some guys may have been thrown off a bit with the fact that they had to stand upright. Camera guys did not want to see them leaning forward. The handles were tapped, and as the each competitor went the tape deteriorated. When Ryan held I could easily notice some of the tape was missing, and the shiny blue paint showing through. Geoff’s experience showed again, as he asked for a re-tape. Which he got.
Rules
Chalk only. No tacky or straps allowed. Wrist wraps allowed. Time stops when implement leaves hand. Best time wins.

Log lift
Review
Ryan:
I went first in this event and managed 3 repetitions. I believe the next two competitors did not get a lift although Travis Bloomer did manage a clean and press but did not wait for Hugo to give the down signal. I was expecting someone to do ten repetitions with this log but it was not to be as several competitors put it up 4-5 times with only the winner of the event going beyond that.
Brent:
First competition with the new Pulse Log. Looked really nice, spinning ends and everything. I was expected more reps from some of they guys, but, maybe the log was more difficult then some others. Geoff was impressive, hammering out 7 reps, and using every second of the 75 second time limit. Darren Cleave got second with 5 reps. Provick and Mehling tied with 4 reps each.
Rules
Each rep must be cleaned and pressed to full lockout. No towels in belt or resting of log on belt. No resting of log on head. Competitor must wait for down signal from referee before lowering log. Competitor must have complete control of log before down signal is given. Feet must be together before down signal is given. Referee’s decision is final. 75 second time limit. Log weighs 265 lbs

Max Deadlift
Review
Ryan:
Due to the Flintstone Deadlift apparatus not being ready in time it was decided that a standard deadlift would be the event. All of the competitors were successful at the opening weight of 545lbs. In the end it was Darren Mehling and Brad Provick head to head. Both of them successfully lifted 805lbs and when Brad failed on 825 Darren automatically won the event after taking less attempts to get up to the 805. What else can I say other than... amazing. The crowd was REALLY into this event, probably more than any other.
Brent:
I was supposed to get the Flintstones for this one, and messed up. Got the 2 inch hole cut in two field stones I found, then weighed them. Ended up being 360 lbs each. Would have worked for a lot of the guys, but to heavy to start, so we just did a normal deadlift. And what a deadlift it was! Mehling took the win with 805, Brad had 2nd also with 805 but in more attempts. Darren had more in him to, would have been neat to see him do a 825 or more. Wow. Everyone made the opening lift of 545 which is pretty good too.
Rules
Straps and chalk allowed, no tacky allowed. Powersuits allowed. Weight must be in locked-out position, competitor must wait for down signal from referee. Referee’s decision final. Hitching allowed, sumo style allowed. 45 second time limit to complete lift. Weight starts at approximately 500 lbs. Heaviest weight lifted wins. All competitors must attempt opening weight (500 lbs). After opening weight, competitors can call for desired weight. Smallest weight increase is 20 lbs. If case of a tie of weight lifted, the competitor with the fewest attempts wins.

Progressive Super Yoke
Review
Ryan:
Another back wrenching event. Our starting weight for this event was actually 710lbs, which is heavier than we had ever done in a Manitoba competition previous to this. Rob "The Warrior" Kmet Scott Cummine were in position one and two in this event and had some balance problems early which prevented them from finishing the course with 710lbs. The rest of the field made it the full distance with 710 and the weight was increased to 810lbs. Travis Bloomer lost his balance with this weight and did not finish the course. The rest of us completed the course and the weight was once again increased. 910lbs would be the downfall for all of the rest of us but Darren Cleave who was the only competitor to finish. Geoff might have made it but partially tore a muscle in his calf when he was very close to the finish line and had to settle for 2nd in this event. Darren looked like he could have gone up to 1010lbs.
Brent:
Once again, we had the new Pulse Yoke, with the yoke cam and everything. Looked nicely made, and felt pretty good when I moved it for setup. Seemed to me that some of the guys had it to low to the ground and as a result touched early, and since only one touch was allowed, they had to quit early. Cleave was awesome with 910. Very impressive. Gino sure has a ‘different’ walk with the yoke, but, he really did good too.
Rules
Competitor must complete a 50 foot course within a 60 second time limit. Starting weight is 700 lbs and progresses up. Each competitor must complete weight to move to the next round (weight). Competitor may skip weight and choose weight they want. Yoke apparatus must totally cross line to move to next round. No sliding of yoke. 2 putdowns allowed. Apparatus measured from back of implement in the result of a non-finish. Competitor who finishes the 50 foot course with the heaviest weight wins. In event of tie, longest distance wins. If event of tie of distance, fewest attempts wins.

Medley
Review
Ryan:
BRUTAL... the distance on the Farmer's Walk portion was increased from 50 to 100 feet and at 310lbs per hand was again the heaviest we have ever done at a Manitoba event. Unfortunately the sled weight was reduced to 375lbs?.. I was really looking forward to trying to give that 750lb sled a ride. Rob Kmet withdrew from at this point due to an injury and 6 of the eight competitors remaining finished the medley.
Brent:
Had some rule changes going into this one, probably helped some guys out, and hurt others. The new Pulse Farmer walks looked tough. Really long, low pick. Would hate to try turning with them. Brad took the win, with Gino less then a second behind. Some of the guys struggled with the heavy farmers, but everyone that got them to the end, finished this event. Sled drag was way to light at 400ish lbs. but, I am sure everyone was happy that it would not the full 750!
Rules
Competitor must carry 310 lbs farmer’s walk 100 feet across line. Unlimited putdowns. Competitor must then carry a 425 lbs duckwalk 50 feet and place on sled. Competitor must then drag sled (total weight around 700 lbs) 50 feet across finish line. Fastest time or furthest distance wins. Chalk only. No tacky allowed. 2 minute time limit.