« HARRISON FORD, STEPHEN FREAR'S LATEST FEATURE & NEW DIXIE CHICKS DOCUMENTARY BY BARBARA KOPPLE COMING TO 28TH ANNUAL ASPEN FILMFEST | Main | Snowfall in Aspen Colorado »
September 20, 2006
Celtic Games bring highlands competitions & celebrations to Snowmass Village for second year: September 23, 2006
Here is the latest press release from Snowmass Village:
(Snowmass Village, CO) If you think summer sports like mountainboarding, distance running, and peak bagging look hard, try repeatedly throwing a 16 foot log end over end, shotputting a 28 pound rock, pitchforking heavy burlap bags and metal weights over a high jump bar, and tossing a handled metal weight like a discus thrower as far as you can -- all in one day.
"The Celtic Games are a great addition to Snowmass' fall schedule," says Susan Hamley, Marketing Director for the town of Snowmass Village. "These competitions are fascinating to watch— and even try if you're brave enough, and the Celtic Games provide the perfect opportunity to get outside and enjoy the fabulous fall weather and gorgeous views in Snowmass. The leaves here are already turning a stunning gold and red."
The Celtic Games, which return to Snowmass Village for a second year on September 23, have defined the word "tough" since 1057 A.D. when Scottish men began testing their strength against each other at highlands gatherings. Originally, the Scotts incorporated into their competitions items available locally, such as a pitchfork, a tree, and stones. Today's games continue these traditions and require unique strength, skill, and endurance, as the athlete typically competes in up to 7 events in one day. In Colorado, highlands games have been held regionally since 1962, and the Rocky Mountain Scottish Athletes association has supported these competitions as the officiating body for over 25 years.
At Snowmass Village, spectators will be treated to the impressive and dramatic competitions of:
The Clachneart or "Stone." Similar to the modern day shotput, competitors must hurl a 16-28 pound stone with one hand. They're given a 7.5 foot run up to a toe board that they're not allowed to touch or cross.
The Weight Throw for Distance. Athletes use a 56# steelyard metal weight with a chain or handle to throw for distance with a 9 foot run-up to a toe board allowed. The most popular style is to spin like a discuss thrower, and the weights are derived from the unit of weight measure in Scotland, where one stone equals 14 pounds.
The Weight over the Bar. This competition involves tossing with only one hand a 56# weight with attached handle over a horizontal bar that is increasingly raised until all but one competitor fails to throw over the top.
The Sheaf Toss. Using a pitchfork, the athletes hurl a 20# burlap bag stuffed with straw over a horizontal bar raised between two standards, which is raised in 1-2 foot increments.
The Caber. The centerpiece of the modern Highland Games, the caber requires strength, balance, and timing. Athletes hoists the caber, a tapered log approximately 16-20 feet long and weighing 60-140#, into cradled hands and attempt to run briefly and heave the caber up and over to ground the heavy end and let the lighter end fall forward.
Each competition offers Women, Men Open Amateur, Men Novice (For locals and newcomers who want to test out their Scottish mettle), Masters (40+ in age), and Lightweight (190 lbs and under) classes. Test your mettle against friends, co-workers, and rival businesses—local competitive spirit is encouraged!
In addition to athletic prowess, this festival also offers music & dance. The Crowlin Ferlies, a bluegrass/old-time/Celtic act featuring members of the Flying Dog Bluegrass Band, Lone Pine Bluegrass Band and Last Minute String Band, perform, as do the Colorado Skye Pipe & Drum Band. Also on hand will be Scottish vendors, wares and food, and different Clans providing information on their heritage.
More information on teh Scottish Highland Games in Snowmass Colorado
Posted by jmidthun at September 20, 2006 09:57 AM
