Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Add Reply
MSG report
Topic Started: Jun 25 2008, 06:35 PM (357 Views)
TEXAS STONEMAN
I shot J.R
I tried to give everyone the credit they deserved in the write-up. The competitors were awesome!

Madison Square Garden Super-Series
New York, New York
6/21/08


This was one of the most anticipated competitions of the year so far and I think everyone of the competitors was nervous before the show. The contest was held in the WaMu Theatre and it turned out to be a perfect fit for this show. The stands were packed! I think there were about 5,000 people there at the end which is far and away the biggest crowd I have ever seen in America.


Event 1
Tire Flip/ Farmer's Medley- 900 for 5 flips then 380 for 40'
This medley was moving fast and some of the guys put up great times. I was set to go head to head with Terry Hollands in the 5th heat, and I was really looking forward to this match up since I have never competed against Terry. My heart was racing when we set up on the tires and then Jouko blew the whistle. I don't remember much other than I kept feeling like I was going too slow so when the tire would hit wrong and roll a little I just grabbed it and threw it over again- like I was trying to make up time. I pushed the last one over and ripped the farmer's off the ground like they weren't there!! They just felt light and my feet were flying!
I ended up with a time of 21 seconds which was 2 seconds faster than Brian Shaw's 2nd place time of 23! This was a great start to the contest. I wish that Terry wasn't so beat up from Britain's Strongest Man because I think he would have been tough on this event.
1st

Event 2
Deadlift for max weight- Rising bar starting at 705 (320 kilos)
This event turned out to be the defining moment for me in this competition. Everyone who attempted the opening weight nailed it easy. I think we only lost one person at 748 then one other guy at 800! This was the toughest group of deadlifters I have ever seen. We went on to 827 (375 kilos) and only lost about 2 more guys. There were 5 guys that went on to clear 849- Myself, Kevin Nee, Oli Thompson, Derek Poundstone, and Mark Felix. I was already 40 lbs over my best in training so I wasn't sure how far I would be able to go. I just kept pulling and the weight kept coming up! The next weight was 870 (395) which was getting into freakish territory. My father and I talked about this event and how far I should go and we decided that I would go until it felt heavy then stop. I hate missing a deadlift! There is nothing that tears my nervous system up like a deadlift miss... However, all these weights seemed easier than the last so I just went with it.
I have to admit that having a 2-time WSM (Jouko Ahola) judging you will give anyone a boost. I wasn't going to let him down with the 870 attempt so I set up and tore it off the ground all the way to lockout! I was the only one who didn't hitch this weight too! I just had to add that little bit...
Mark and Derek both cleared this weight too and then attempted 891 (405)!! Mark almost locked it out but lost his grip and I think Derek was shot from the 7 other attempts beforehand. I was happy with the 870 and decided to pass on my attempt at 891. I think that had I not taken so many attempts I had a shot at this weight. I just felt extremely strong on deadlifts!
1st (tie)

Event 3
Husefeldt Carry- 400 lbs for distance (25 meter course)
This particular stone is very large and cumbersome to work with. However, I had a distinct advantage since I have a similar stone, albeit much lighter, to train with. It was also nice to have a solid surface to walk on since I am used to packed gravel for my training surface. Dave Ostlund went out and put up a fantastic distance of almost 3 lengths. He really had to grind out the last few meters too which put him just ahead of Janne and another guy (not sure who) and gave him 3rd place overall. Derek made it 3 lengths plus a step past the turn which put him in the lead until I went. I had been doing 300 feet in training so I knew I could manage this distance. I picked the stone up with no trouble and started running down the course. I could see Jouko Ahola having to run to keep up! (I had to add that since I thought it was funny...) I made it through the first 2 lengths easy then really slowed down on the 3rd, but my pace was fast enough that I made it past Derek's mark pretty easily. My distance wasn't what I had expected but then again I have not trained with a 400 lb. stone so I was happy with this. After all that made 3 wins in a row!
1st

Event 4
2 3/8" Axle Clean and Press for reps (308 lbs.)
This axle had fixed tires on it which, for me, always makes the clean easier so I knew I would hit a better number than in my training, but I was shocked at how many reps guys were getting so I knew I was going to need every bit I could get!! I have to say that two guys in particular really impressed me with their ability to improve on this event: Dave Ostlund and Kevin Nee. The last time I competed against these guys there was no way they were going to get 7 or 8 reps with a 308 axle! I am very proud of them.
After seeing this exact implement used at Mohegan Sun the past few years I kind of had an idea of how to get the most out of it. Since it has 2 tires on each side it has a tendancy to bounce a lot if you just drop it so the trick is to follow it down and almost push it into the ground to stop the recoil. I had the distinct pleasure of going head to head with Derek Poundstone who I thought would be the man to beat on this event and if I could keep up then I knew I would be way up in the standings. At this point I could tell that the pace of the contest was getting to me a little bit. I hadn't quite recovered from the stone carry yet. However, when I cleaned the bar the first time it flew up like nothing! This is where all the training pays off; my head wasn't there so my body took over and just did as it was programmed. I just kept reciting to myself all the parts of the lift: "grip, clean-roll the hands under, press, hold, follow it down, repeat!" Apperently this worked for me because I finished with 8 reps, 2 better than in training, and only 1 rep behind Derek.
Usually we are supposed to stay out there and get an interview with the commentators but after this event I just walked straight off, pointed at Jason Hehr (acting coach) and said "trash can." I then proceeded to walk out to the hall and heave my guts out! Colin Bryce made an attempt to catch me for the interview until he saw my face...
2nd (tie)

After the fourth event the field was cut from 12 athletes to 6 for the finals. The points were also adjusted which is irritating since it negates the fact that we had to fight through 12 individuals to gain whatever points we had. They took your total score and divided it by 6 which was the number of competitors in the final and then you were awarded 6-1 points based on your performance in each final event. They did the same scoring at the Fit Expo. I should have won by far more than what was on the final score sheet...
The finals consisted of 2 events with only 3 heats apiece... So it was going to move fast!

Event 5
Yoke/ Duck Walk Medley - 900 lbs for 45' and 530 lbs. for 45'
I knew weeks ago that this event was going to be a sprint and it certainly turned out that way. I didn't see Dave and Oli Thompson go but I did see Mark Felix and Brian Shaw. Mark was just slightly in the lead on the yoke but dropped it just short of the line and allowed Brian to overtake him. They both took off with the Duck Walk implement but about half way through their backs were shot and they ended up having to do the swing/hop method (swing the weight forward and hop back on it then swing it again...) which just ate up their time.
I was no where near planet Earth when I got set up under the yoke. I think my head was still over the trash can... I got a great lift when the whistle blew but my first few steps were rough to say the least. Derek got away from me and was running with the yoke but after a few steps my head kicked in and said that if I was crazy enough to be doing this it might as well keep me from being crushed. I picked up speed and even gained a step on him but he was well ahead, about 5 steps, going into the Duck Walk. He moved very fast despite not being one of the tallest guys out there. The Duck Walk, although I hate the event, is very good for me and I started to catch him towards the end but he was tough and held on to the lead for the victory. Had the course been 10 feet longer I know I could have caught him... Damn! If only my head was on straight from the beginning!!
I think our times were right around 16 seconds which is exactly what I predicted would win this event about 2 months ago.
On a side note, the Duck Walk handle was very wide and absolutely tore my thighs apart. I was walking a bit like a short bodybuilder the next day.
2nd

Event 6
Atlas Stones - IFSA Ring of Stones (315, 360, 375, 420... more like 460)
This event was a bit like home for me since we were using an apparatus that I have set 3 seperate World Records on. However, they didn't build up a ring of mats around the outside so the actual heights of the rings were about 3 inches above the record set's official height! This would spell doom for Mark Felix. He had a very hard time getting the first stone up to the nearly 6' ring and in the end would not be successful. I must admit that these stones just felt heavy. It was the 6th event in a VERY fast-paced competition that was also very back-intensive. We were all fried by this point. I remember thinking to myself as I lifted the first stone, 315 lbs, that this felt really heavy!
It was down to this event. Due to the change in the points total, I was barely ahead of Derek and if I messed up on this event I would lose my first place position. Even though the first stone felt heavy I put it up in one motion and quickly moved to the next. I saw that Derek was still loading his first and that's when I knew he would not catch me. This is MY event!! I had no trouble with the 2nd stone but I fumbled the 3rd a little which allowed for Dave Ostlund to sneak in and take the event win... Even though it pisses me off to say this, nice job Dave! I went on to the fourth stone and lapped it easily but I lost a bit of my power in my left arm where the pec tear occured and I just flat out failed... I lapped it again, and was the only one to do so in this competition, but it wasn't going up. I just didn't have anything left. They say that the last stone was 420 lbs. but there is no way that is correct. This stone felt more like my 460! I have heard that Karl Gillingham said it was more like 450 too so the two of us are pretty much in agreement on this issue. Derek just couldn't get his 3rd stone up. I think the height of the rings really took a toll on him.
This was the first time in almost 50 contests that I failed to load a stone... It almost took away the thrill of victory for me I was so pissed.
1st

1st Place overall!!!
I was also awarded the Eleiko weight set that we used for the deadlift!

1. Travis Ortmayer, 32.75 points
2. Derek Poundstone, 29
3. David Ostlund, 24.5
4. Brian Shaw, 21.5
5. Oli Thompson, 19
6. Mark Felix, 18.5



I have to say that this show was amazing! All the guys were tough as nails and had Kevin made it through he would have certainly improved is placing on those last two events. I have to hand it to all the Brit's too. These guys all came in beat up from Britain's Strongest Man and still they performed extremely well. Oli even had 2 cracked ribs! Much respect to these guys.
As for my chief rival, Derek you were awesome! Derek kept coming on stronger and stronger with each event. It took everything I had to keep him at bay. See you next week Poundcake!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Tom Jones
Member Avatar
Administrator and don't you bastards forget it
Excellent write up Travis
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
MaxPower
Member Avatar
Follower of Branigann's Law
Quote:
 
I was also awarded the Eleiko weight set that we used for the deadlift!

Damn, thats a nice "trophy"
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
rob hughes
Member Avatar

:iagree excellent write up and congrats again on your win. are you doing the one in norway my friend?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Laurence Shahlaei.
Member Avatar
Now you're boring us
Well done Travis, fantastic result.

Loz
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Thrand
Member Avatar

Thanks for the interesting report, and congratulations on your excellent result.

Enjoy the Eleiko set.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Garrick Daft
Member Avatar

Amazing performance throughout... words are hard to come by when describing how freaking awesome your performance was!! Congrats again!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Neil

Thanks for the report Travis, and congratulations on your victory.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
WILL SAN
Member Avatar

great writeup and congrats on the win! :respect
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Stevemottram
Member Avatar

Brilliant write up Travis... Well done on the win..
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
veganlifter

great writeup, thanks!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
d320kg
Member Avatar

Nice win Travis! LOL at Pfister bringing up the "Poundcake" term.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Bod
Member Avatar

Cool report Travis and a great result for you, very well done.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
THE THING

Great write up and well done on the win
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
bigjaseb
Member Avatar

:respect Well done on the win. I watched it live on strongman tv and I was amazed how well you did on all the events
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Strength Competitions / Events · Next Topic »
Add Reply