Athletics
Throwing The Weights….
The second event, known as “the weight over bar,”uses a 56lb.(men),28lb.(women), or a 42lb(masters) weight with an ring attached. Each athlete is allowed three attempts to clear a marked height before the bar is raised. The victor is the sole thrower who can clear the highest bar.
Putting The Stone….
The Stone Throw at many games follow the“Braemar” style. In Braemar competition, a stone weighing up to 26lbs. is thrown from a stationary position.
Hammer Throwing….
Not to be confused with its all-metal counterpart used in the olympics, the Scots’ hammer has a wooden shaft made of cane, an overall length of 50 inches and comes in two weights:The “light”hammer at 16 lbs., and the “Heavy” at 22 lbs. Both are thrown standing-style, wound several times around the head, and released straight behind the thrower.
The Caber Toss….
Historically, a felled tree trunk or caber, was used to bridge deep, swiftly-running rivers. Less inclined to wash out when laid at a right angle to the river, accuracy of placement was both a highly developed skill and dire necessity if ones men was to cross the swift rapids. Today’s athletic competition is still judged on the accuracy rather than the distance of the throw. At 100lbs. or more, and often at least 18 feet long,the caber is held by the narrow end, while its thicker, more unwieldy end points skyward. Once lifted by the athlete, the caber must be run forward, stopped dead and then heaved end over end. If the perfect “twelve o’ clock” toss is made, the tree trunk will have landed dead straight ahead with its narrow end pointing away from the athlete.
For more information on the above events please visit: www.albagames.co.uk
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