Uddevalla Open Long Cycle Competition Report

So, finally, the big day arrived for our long cycle competition. Members of Uddevalla Kettlebell Club, not the least Thomas Johansson and Nichlas Gonzales had made a great job organizing the competition.
 

This is the result list:

Damer:
...... 63 kg - 12kg
1. Minna Majaranta ; 123 reps

63 kg - 16kg
1.Sonja Pykkönen ; 93 reps

Herrar:
68 kg - 2x16kg
1. Markus Pulkkinen ; 66 reps

73 kg - 2x16kg
1. Markus Hillemalm ; 64 reps

85 kg - 2x16kg
1. Mika Mettiäinen ; 40 reps

85 kg - 2x24kg
1.Marko Suomi ; 70 reps
2.Markel Thylefors ; 50 reps
3.Philip Johansson ; 46 reps
4. Thomas Johansson ; 43 reps

105 kg - 2x24kg
1.Kalle Pykkönen ; 66 reps

We also had team of five (5) Finnish lifters visiting us which was a great addition and there will certainly be more future kettlebell sport events with the Finns. The only disadvantage with lifting next to the Finns is that they win everything. But the knowledge and good atmosphere they bring makes it worth it :-).

All sets - one or two bells, 12, 16 or 24kg - were very exciting to watch and resulted in a lot of cheering and applauding from fellow lifters and audience. There were several personal records. 

Now I can hardly wait for the biathlon competition in Uddevalla the 7th of May :-).

Equipment
Each lifter and judge had a an individual screen that showed points and time. That is of a great help planning your pace. It was Kalle Pykkönen's software with slight adaptation.

The 12 and 16kg bells were of the "Compact"-model; the 24kg kettlebells were "Russian Originals/kettlebellathletes."

We lifted at an Eleiko kettlebell platform that Eleiko wanted us to try out in the competition setting. The platform is 3x2,5meters and we lifted two at a time. This format worked fine for long cycle clean and jerk. For biathlon and snatch there probably should be a couple of meters between the platforms of individual lifters.
It was very nice to lift on. The rubber was not too soft - that we had several personal records proved this. Moreover, there was absolutely no risk of slipping. We also tried dropping kettlebells on the mat. They did not bounce around a lot which is good from a safety point of view. It would be great with these Eleiko platforms in 1,5x1,5meters format. 

My contribution
To my surprise I did a new personal record of 50reps. I don't think any Swedish lifter ever has made 50 reps in long cycle with 2x24kg before.

This was especially surprising as I had a cold and could not train as planned before the event. However, I came in only second. The first -85kg lifter, Marko Suomi from Finland, did 70 reps.



Thanks all for a great competition on and off the platform!

Ps! Also check by UKC for some pics, videos, and more updates (LINK).