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UPDATE On August 8, Sam KENDRICKS, the pole-vaulter from the USA,  became the new World champion in London. And he certainly doesn't know the origin of his sport... And he certainly doesn't know why he should thank the Highland Games.... The origins of pole-vaulting: Before becoming an olympic event in 1896, pole-vaulting was one of the most spectacular events of the Highland Games and one of the first track and field competitions in the second half of the 19th century.Dave Webster, the historian of the Highland Games, has... [Lire la suite]

Just have a look at the cabers in Bressuire with this photo by Patrick Ballargeau from "Regards", the local photo-club. An amazing caber-toss by Vlad Tulacek, isn't it? And what about this one by Thierry Turc from the same club? No wonder Vlad has won the competition.... And this is just the same with Rafal KOBYLARZ shot by Thierry Trurc again... Very stange, isn't it? There are even people who suggest that the old castle in Bressuire-the-Scot is haunted. Maybe they are not wrong, especially when our photographer Jacques... [Lire la suite]

As usual, the pipers came marchin' in during the IHGF European Pro Championship in Bressuire-the-Scot, France And, of course, it was a real pleasure for our photographers with such an awesome background in the old middle-aged Bressuire castle. Bressuire also had the priviledge to welcome Robert WATT, one of the stars of solo piping with quite a few titles of world champion. It was a real pleasure to listen to his solos and his "Amazing Grace" was really amazing. A pipe-band competition Robert WATT, just like drum-Major Peter... [Lire la suite]

What are the differences between two Celtic dancers and a  European thrower at the Bressuire Highland Games? According to Mary PINET, our special contributor for this post, there are none: they are all  in full swing and these two photos by Louis Fradin and Jean-Patrick Jolly just illustrate it. "A Celtic Festival in full swing" by Mary PINET During the Highland Games weekend, Bressuire Castle was the scene of richly contrasting events. Down in the sporting area, the heavies were throwing their weights around and... [Lire la suite]

You think the nine Heavies competing for the IHGF European Pro title in Bressuire-the-Scot are making faces? You are wrong.. Their faces just reveal how strong their effort is.Just have a look at these close-ups by our photographer Jacques PAQUEREAU After Rafal KOBYLARZ, Raynor WORTEL and Hans LOLKEMA throwing the hammer, after Jamie GUNN throwing the stone and Lorne COLTHART the hammer, here come Seb WENTA, Svavar SIGURSTEINSSON, Daniel DOROW and the new IHGF European Pro Champion Vlad TULACEK

Highlight of the day: Sunday afternoon at Bressuire IHGF European Pro Championship. It's time for the last event: weight over bar.Vlad TULACEK had just broken the field record (5,11 m) and you know what? he decided to have the bar at 5,59 m, one cm higher than the world record. If you have read the blog, you know that Vlad TULACEK was the Superstar of the Bressuire Highland Games. A landslide victoryHe won six out of the eight heavy events, grabbed the title for caber-tossing and broke two field records. He din't wait long: he... [Lire la suite]

We had already announced it in the blog: Vlad TULACEK , this week-end's superstar was clearly the favourite of the IHGF European Pro Championship. And he did get a lanslide victory after a fantastic competition where the spectators in the majestic Bressuire castle were delighted by the show Not only did Vlad become the European champion for caber-tossing , but also he grabbed the IHGF European Pro title. With only 13 points after the 8 events of the IHGF European Pro Championship, he is clearly ahead of Lorne COLTHART, Scotland (20... [Lire la suite]

Notre photographe Louis FRADIN a eu l'oeil partout samedi pour les Jeux.Voici, voilà son premier album-photo pour le blog des Highland Games qui a reçu 796 visiteurs hier. Merci! Thanks to our photographer Louis FRADIN, here is the first photo-album of the Games on Saturday Si cela vous donne envie de venir, direction le château de Bressuire... Feel like coming? You'll be welcome

For Jean-Louis COPPET, the manager of the IHGF European Championship in Bressuire, Vlad TULACEK was a three-star favourite in the previous post: Profiles and Odds.After the first day of the competition, it proves to be true. Vlad is clearly the number one on the field. He has won three of the four events: light stone, light hammer, and caber-tossing and he finished third at the heavy weight for distance. With only 6 points, Vlad TULACEK is leading the overall competition with two tied seconds: Lorne COLTHART, winner of the heavy... [Lire la suite]

Jean-Louis COPPET who is in charge of the competition has agreed to give stars to the heavies before the IHGF Pro European Championships in Bressuire Who are the high-flyers? Who are the challengers? Here are his odds and ratings. Thanks, Jean-Louis! 3 stars for: *** VLADISLAV TULACEK 28 years old. 2,01m, 124kg A young athlete who matches the best at the shot put  and weight over the bar events. His rank was 6th at the 2016 IHGF pro world championship in Palmer, Alaska, USA.   Two stars for: ** RAFAL... [Lire la suite]