The CALGARY HIGHLAND GAMES
introduces
The 2011 MASTERS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP to Western Canada…!

In partnership with the Scottish Masters Athletics International (“SMAI”) and the Canadian Scottish Athletic Federation (“CSAF”), the Calgary United Scottish Games Association (“CUSGA”) is pleased to announce that the Masters World Championship (“MWC”) will be held at the

2011 Calgary Highland Games

Saturday, September 3^rd, 2011.

Canada has never before hosted the MWC, which makes it an exciting event of national interest. Athletes are drawn from around the world to participate in this prestigious Heavy Events competition. Calgary promises to match the success of other venues, notably Inverness, Scotland and Denver, Colorado, in an urban setting surrounded by the breathtaking Rocky Mountains. Approximately 70 athletes are expected to attend and compete in the 2011 MWC.

Calgary has made its mark in Canada by hosting national-calibre events including the CSAF Masters Championship in 2009 and Canadian Open Championship in 2010.  Through its demonstrated leadership and commitment to hosting classy events, the Calgary Highland Games has earned and maintains the support of the Canadian Scottish Athletic  Federation (CSAF) for its even more ambitious undertaking of hosting the 2011 Masters World Championships.  CSAF wishes the Calgary Highland Games every success in this wonderful endeavour.

As the Calgary Highland Games nears its hundredth anniversary, it has become more and more involved in the heavy events, hosting numerous national and international competitions over the last eight years in order to prepare to host the MWC. Meanwhile, Calgary’s Highland Games community has flourished and educated fans have come to appreciate the excitement and skill of the traditional heavy events.

The Athletes

Accomplished throwers, both men and women, are travelling from around the world to attend the MWC in Calgary. The field is truly international, with athletes coming from all over the globe to compete; Norway, Germany, Japan and Scotland will be represented, among many other nations. Athletes will compete in a total of eight events, including the world-famous caber toss. The cabers will be hewn from Alberta spruce, tough and strong like the athletes themselves.

The Venue

Just minutes outside of Calgary’s city limits, Springbank Park For All Seasons is an ideal venue for the Calgary Highland Games. The Rocky Mountains provide a stunning backdrop to the Games, and visitors are treated to a true taste of the Canadian West at the sight of farmland and grazing horses and cattle. The community of Springbank has embraced the Calgary Highland Games and has provided continued support leading up to the Masters World Competition.

Something for Everyone

If you follow sports, visit the Heavy Events areas to witness feats of strength and skill. Highland dancers will be showcasing their talents throughout the day for those who are interested in exploring another aspect of Scottish culture. For the musically inclined, pipe and drum competitions are held from morning until afternoon. And don’t forget to visit the vendors purveying traditional Scottish clothing, jewellery and food.

ABOUT THE MASTERS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Scottish Masters Athletics International, NFP (“SMAI”) is organized and operated to foster international amateur sports competition for charitable and cultural purposes. This not-for-profit corporation is the exclusive sanctioning authority and host for the Masters World Championships (“MWC”) for the traditional Scottish Highland Games athletic competitions called the “Heavy Events.” These events include stone throws, weight throws, hammer throws, caber toss, sheaf toss, and similar traditional feats of strength.  Visit their website at www.scottishmasters.org.

The MWC is an annual amateur competition with the location being determined by application from host organizations of highland games sites across the globe and the locations of the competitions are determined by the SMAI. The MWC competition is open to all athletes over 40 year of age with proper qualification as determined by the SMAI.

After ten years of operations guided by Masters World Champion and founder Bill Scruggs of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, the company has no debt and a bright future. Bill recently decided to retire and turn over the helm to Kevin Rogers of Springfield, Illinois but he has agreed to stay involved as Chairman of the Board of Directors. With the transition, we have changed our status from a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) to a General Not for Profit Corporation (NFP) seeking 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

The Canadian Scottish Athletics Federation (“CSAF”) is an organization for Heavy Events athletes from across Canada.  This organization seeks to promote opportunities for the sport and enhance all new and existing events across the country.  Visit their website at www.csaf.ca or their Facebook group page.

HEAVIES

Traditionally, the heavy events were contests held between local farmers in Scotland. The farmers would challenge each other to carry heavy rocks for a distance, toss sheaves of straw into the air, and heave around large timbers.

In today’s competitions, these events adhere to strict rules and codes. Events include Caber Toss, Putting the Stone, 16 lb. Hammer Toss, 28 lb. Weight – Distance, 56 lb. Weight – Distance, and 56 lb. Weight – Height.

Throwing the Weights

This competition consists of two separate events. Both are derived from ancient tests of military skills.

The weight thrown for distance is reminiscent of a mace. The weight thrown for height resembles a grappling hook, which was once used to scale fortifications. The “weight for distance” contest uses a weight consisting of a ball and chain. There are three standard weight divisions: 14+28lbs for the women, 28+56lbs for the men, and 28+42lbs for the Masters. Each weight must be thrown with one hand. With a combination of balance, rhythm, and power, this is often considered a graceful athletic event. The second event, the “Weight Over the Bar,” uses a 56 lb. (men), 28 lb. (women), or 42 lb. (masters) weight usually with a 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

This popular contest is derived from an ancient clan ritual. Each chieftain’s “stone of strength” was situated at the entrance of his castle. Before entry was granted, every visiting clansman was obligated to test his strength by throwing it for distance. This was perhaps to insure that certain guests would be capable to defend the castle. If besieged, the successful stone putter would be posted on the battlements, hurling large boulders down upon the attackers. The Stone Throw at many Games follow the “Braemar” style. In Braemar competition, a stone, weighing up to 26 lbs., is thrown from a stationary position.

Hammer Throwing

The history of this event is much debated. Some suggest that, like throwing the weight, the hammer is analogous to the ancient mace. Others have claimed it derives from a simple contest between village smithies. Whether of military or agrarian origins, it has grown into an internationally recognized Olympic event. 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: “Light” (up to 16 lbs.) and “Heavy” (up to 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 apt to wash out when laid at a right angle to the river, accuracy of placement was both a highly developed skill and a dire necessity if one’s men were to cross the swift rapids. Today’s athletic competition is still judged on the accuracy rather than the distance of the throw. At 100 lbs., or more, and often at least 18 feet long, the caber is held by the narrower 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.