Battle for the Belt: 1st successful defense!

The latest battle for the belt went to the final event with the winner in front by mere seconds at the end.  Lifters had to do 4 snatches @ 92% then 4 clean & jerks @ successively more weight, ending with a PR CJ.  4 lifters made it to the leg killing Triple C Leg Cranks which consist of a ride on the Air Dyne, step ups, single leg squats, and squats.  

Pat and Chelsea threw down the gauntlet on Thursday night.

Snatches for both were routine and more strength than technique.  The hips were never in peril of going below or even near the knees on either lifter.  Pat ended with a solid PR in CJ as did Chelsea.  The tiebreaker was right in their sweet spot so, personal expectations were high.  Pat did the Triple C Leg Cranks in a quick 4:22.08.   Chelsea paced herself to a finish in 5:05.57. 

Saturday started with Kellene.  She hit all the snatches and her first two CJ.  Despite strong encouragement from Fern, who was spectating, the 98% third CJ lift proved too heavy for today.  Zach, Keith, Ron, and Ben all smashed the respective 92% snatch.  Ben was operating under a newly established snatch PR and had good speed. 

Keith was able to nail his first CJ.  The next jump had him easily cleaning it, but just could not fix the bar overhead and himself under.   Finally, he was able to get the weight on his 4th attempt; taking the weight for quite the exciting ride as he did so. 

Zach sailed through his first three attempts and then came the final attempt for a PR.  He was able to do it with only a quick little jump forward.  New PR and a sticker! 

Ron was the same way:  first three attempts lead to the comment from one that he could at least  make it look hard.  His fourth PR attempt went up for an easy clean.  Then the jerk was solidly locked out overhead.

Ben had recently set a new PR in CJ, too, so today's lifting could prove to be quite challenging.  His first attempt at 92% would prove to be far too heavy and he just could not rack the weight.  Ron and Zach continue on to the tiebreaker!

Zach goes first and hits a respectable 5:09.50, just behind Chelsea.  It is up to Ron:  Will he defend the title?  Overthinking the process at first, he went through the bike portion fine.  Step ups were a bit of a challenge, then he settled down finishing in a time of 4:19.87. 

Ron is the first to defend the belt successfully with Pat in second and Chelsea in third.  Great contest!