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MN USAPL NEWS
2003 Trip to Norway for their Nationals
The US team was treated like royalty from start to finish. Meet director Paul Nielsn who was directing his first event made us feel at home right away. Paul took us to the Oslo Olympic training center where learned about training techniques that Norway uses to train its athletes. What I also found very interesting is this training center is also open to the public. During this tour Tony tried out a training technique used by downhill skiers. He was asked to stand on a platform which vibrated at intense levels to simulate what a skier was subject to. I don't think Tony was quite ready for this. The look on his face was quite amusing. Tony and I also toured the Viking ship museum and went to various shops, restaurants and just wandered the city. I also found out why American beer is so bad :)
Lifting in Norway is very different then lifting in the USA. Tony and I have both experienced lifting at the local and national level already. The crowds where very supportive of the lifters no matter who was on deck. The crowd also did this thing where they all claps and stomped in sync which made the venue very noisy and fun. Another thing I noticed was the lifters attitude. When a lifter makes a big lift all the lifters cheer along with the crowd. Lifters respect judges as friends rather then a nemesis. I remember seeing Carl Olav Chistoffersen making his final lift and was so happy he broke into tears while hugging his girlfriend. It was an example of how intense lifters are in Norway. Now I don't want to take anything away from lifters here at home. But we could learn a few things from our friends from across the pond about attitude and sportsmanship. I was also very pleased with the conversations I had with the Norwegian lifters about drug testing. I sometimes read on the USAPL forum that lifters in Europe do not feel as strongly about drug testing as we do. This is not the case at all. The lifters and other folks I met feel just as strong about drug testing and the importance of drug detection in sports as we do. I learned about WADA and its role in OMT drug testing. I am very happy to see the IPF expand its drug testing in such a fashion.
The USA team came to lift with a purpose to show Norway what we are all about. Jenn Maile came to Norway wanting to add some pounds to her already major numbers from the previous year. She however had some issues with cutting weight and had to move up a weight class. As a result she set some American (Open and Teen) records in the teenage division for the 114 weight class.
The world famous Liz Willett took the stage with a plan to throw some weight around. She told me she wanted to nail some PR lifts on this trip but felt personally that the lifts didn't go her way. I can't agree with her given 369 pound bench went up with ease. The people of Norway loved her to no end. She was always chatting with anyone she ran into with a big smile on her face. And what was funny she was walking down the streets of Oslo and total strangers would come up and give her a hug. I think it was because of the shorts she was wearing.
I really wish I got a chance to see Kate Dingle-Craig lift more on this trip. From what I understand she was pleased with her performance. She often chatted about other trips she has made in Powerlifting often saying " I went to see some old s**t" . She ended up 7 for 9 for the day.
National champion Priscilla Ribic has been trying to settle into her new weight class of 148 over the past 6 months. Doing so makes training a challenge at first getting used to the changes in your body. Priscilla meet these challenges with some success and some difficulty. When she arrived she was a few pounds over and feeling the pinch of cutting weight but she made it. She felt disappointed a bit with her squat and deadlift but liked the 286 pound bench she rammed up. I think she is being modest and saving the real show for Women's Worlds in Chicago.
Tony Williams reset some of his own records at this event. Tony has only had one other national meet under his belt and only two years ago was deadlifting less then he benches now. Tony started out a little rough in the squat. He was called on depth on the first attempt and his second had some issue with the setup. The rest of the meet was flawless for him. Tony ended the day with a new Jr bench and total record.
Larry Maile who lead all this craziness lifted in the 181's and had a 2nd place total. Larry played great lifter and coach to all of us. Despite the numbers he put up he still looked like he was holding back. I found out later that Larry is lifting at the Master Nationals in a few weeks so it all made sense.
Thanks again to Paul and the rest of USA Team for a great trip and a great time.
Other pictures of the trip to Norway
Write up from USAPL powerlines.
Results
75 kg
3. Tony Williams 232,5 - 150 - 232,5 = 615
82,5 kg
2. Larry Maile 260 - 200 - 265 =725
125 kg
3. Brad Madvig 320 - 225 - 320 = 865
52 kg
1. Jennifer Maile 165 - 97,5 - 175 = 435,5
60 kg
3. Kate Dingle-Craig 135 - 75 - 150 = 360
67,5 kg
1. Priscilla Ribic 205 - 130 - 215 =550
+90 kg
1. Liz Willett 245 - 167,5 - 205 = 617,5