Phil Pfister's America's Strongest Man

[James Deffinbaugh]

The entry form is up.
http://americasstrongest.com/entry.htm

Phil's not competing (via ironmind)

An interesting thing in the entry form:
Confidentiality. You agree to treat as STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL any information that comes to your knowledge as a result of agreeing to enter the Event, unless and until such information becomes public knowledge. Confidential information shall include ...details of the Event including the results before they become public ... So, based on that, that means no competitor can do a post-contest write up or tell their spouses whether or not they won, until after it's on ESPN. Seems kind of counter-productive for efforts in promoting strongman as a sport.

[Patrick McGuffin]

Thats a little gay... if I won a large contest like this (for an am anyways) I would want to shout it out to the world and show off like no other. My head would grow larger than an atlas stone...

[Jim Glassman]

Dude, I didn't read the entry but tell me is that not the worst website you've seen?!!!!!

[Matthew White]

Dude, I didn't read the entry but tell me is that not the worst website you've seen?!!!!!

Totally agree with that. See, I was agreeing with the whole drug test thing, but I dunno about this, it seems more about the profit and less about the sport.

[Ryan Wells]

Definitely a bit ghey. Purple? ...looks a little Lane Bryant to me.

[dronga]

* Mods if you have to delete this post, I understand.

My issue is with the drug testing, I lifted in 3 different federations when i powerlifted in the mid and late 90's, and the application for an event always had a line that stated, "Have you been drug free for more than 12 months?" 12 months in my mind is nothing, and these competitions were advertised as "drug free". Can someone with knowledge about the unmentionable substance please give me some info about your gain retention, and how long does it take for the substance to leave your body and test clean?

[lhprop1]

...looks a little Lane Bryant to me.

I hope she's not competing. She's huge!!!!!

Seriously though, that "no sharing of results" doesn't mean anything. They're not going to make the spectators sign something like that, so I'm sure the results will be publicly available very shortly after the contest.

[Ryan Wells]

Seriously though, that "no sharing of results" doesn't mean anything. They're not going to make the spectators sign something like that, so I'm sure the results will be publicly available very shortly after the contest.

Of course. This is the information age. If we can find out that Prince Harry is in Afghanistan, I'm sure we can learn who wins a strongman contest in WV.

[Ryan Brown]

* Mods if you have to delete this post, I understand.

My issue is with the drug testing, I lifted in 3 different federations when i powerlifted in the mid and late 90's, and the application for an event always had a line that stated, "Have you been drug free for more than 12 months?" 12 months in my mind is nothing, and these competitions were advertised as "drug free". Can someone with knowledge about the unmentionable substance please give me some info about your gain retention, and how long does it take for the substance to leave your body and test clean?

This contest is not getting into any of that; per the entry form all that is required is that you test clean on the test that you are a given. Clearly, even if someone passes it does not guarantee that they were clean for any specific period of time--only that they are free from substances of the type and amounts that are being tested for on the date of the test. I think it is beyond the scope of this forum to go into it much more than this.

[Stu Christensen]

This contest is not getting into any of that; per the entry form all that is required is that you test clean on the test that you are a given. Clearly, even if someone passes it does not guarantee that they were clean for any specific period of time--only that they are free from substances of the type and amounts that are being tested for on the date of the test. I think it is beyond the scope of this forum to go into it much more than this.
That's exactly my thought.. even if you test clean, it doesn't mean you're clean. I really don't care about the testing, I just want to see a good comp with some good exposure for the sport. Period.

[Nick Best]

My question is this. Where are you going to compete AFTER the contest? ASC probly not. NASS who knows. So its possibly WSM or bust for everyone. Who is looking out for the future of the athletes that are going to compete in the show. Is there going to be a new amature and pro federation? Just a few questions.

[dronga]

My question is this. Where are you going to compete AFTER the contest? ASC probly not. NASS who knows. So its possibly WSM or bust for everyone. Who is looking out for the future of the athletes that are going to compete in the show. Is there going to be a new amature and pro federation? Just a few questions.

Very good questions.

[Ryan Bracewell]

My question is this. Where are you going to compete AFTER the contest? ASC probly not. NASS who knows. So its possibly WSM or bust for everyone. Who is looking out for the future of the athletes that are going to compete in the show. Is there going to be a new amature and pro federation? Just a few questions.

The fact that you have to ask that question is what makes me think there is something wrong with the current system of federations. In most individual sports(to my knowledge) athletes are aloud to compete wherever they choose without any punishment. I know that i am very new to strongman, but the fact that some people will shy away from phil's contest in fear of repercussions seems pretty gay to me, especially since there is good prize money available.

[Josh Kamins]

The fact that you have to ask that question is what makes me think there is something wrong with the current system of federations. In most individual sports(to my knowledge) athletes are aloud to compete wherever they choose without any punishment. I know that i am very new to strongman, but the fact that some people will shy away from phil's contest in fear of repercussions seems pretty gay to me, especially since there is good prize money available.

Although its not truly Phil's fault that athletes cannot compete in ASC contests after his contest, he is basically screwing athletes by knowingly allowing this to happen without providing future promise of contests...

[Mike Gill]

Although its not truly Phil's fault that athletes cannot compete in ASC contests after his contest, he is basically screwing athletes by knowingly allowing this to happen without providing future promise of contests...

Althletes who are already in the WSM SS system don't need the ASC contests though. So this may tempt the better pros in the US.

[Easton Taylor]

My question is this. Where are you going to compete AFTER the contest? ASC probly not. NASS who knows. So its possibly WSM or bust for everyone. Who is looking out for the future of the athletes that are going to compete in the show. Is there going to be a new amature and pro federation? Just a few questions.

If you weren't going to say it I was........better it come out of your mouth then mine.......and shouldn't you be working or something? :F:

[Jared Enderton]

nick those are great points. and that website does need some fine tuning haha.

[James Deffinbaugh]

Seriously though, that "no sharing of results" doesn't mean anything. They're not going to make the spectators sign something like that, so I'm sure the results will be publicly available very shortly after the contest.I wonder why they even put that in there. It's even underlined. Under what circumstances would they enforce it?
It probably doesn't mean anything, but it's good to know the fine print.

Dude, I didn't read the entry but tell me is that not the worst website you've seen?!!!!!I think the website looks fine. Simple, straight to the point. It is missing a contact form or contact info, there's no one to call or email with questions, to be a sponsor, etc; the splash page is unnecessary, there's no meta-info for search engines, the title graphic and sponsor graphics aren't clickable, etc. But, it's still better than most.

Any official word from ASC on whether or not they'll ban athletes that compete in this contest? It'd be ashame if they do.

[Paul Neuhaus]

For those of you who are questioning the privacy policy, let me give you an example of why I think it's a good idea.

A few years ago, a friend of mine was on Fear Factor. They all had to sign a contract, and one of the stipulations was that they COULD NOT tell anyone about the results until it was aired, or else they could be sued. The main reason for this was to make the TV show more exciting.

When Phil won WSM in 2006, I was very excited when I was finally able to watch it. But, it would have been far more exciting to watch Phil make that huge come-back, had I not already known the results.

[Chris Grantano]

I imagine (much like tested bodybuilding shows of yore), that the "silence" is so that the results do not make their way to the general public before those that fail the test are removed from the final placings. That way people don't think, "Captain X won!!", only to have him DQ'd immediately after.

[James Deffinbaugh]

I imagine (much like tested bodybuilding shows of yore), that the "silence" is so that the results do not make their way to the general public before those that fail the test are removed from the final placings. That way people don't think, "Captain X won!!", only to have him DQ'd immediately after.
Do you think they'd edit out anyone that fails the test before showing it on ESPN?
Would they remove all of their results from the scoring (which could greatly affect everyone's score)? They would pretty much have to if they didn't want to address the "this guy failed the drug test" on TV. And in that case the trophy ceremony might not make it on TV at all.

I'm guessing for the TV broadcast they'll ignore the drug test completely just to simplify things and have a good show, but prize money and the WSM invite will happen behind the scenes based on the testing.

[Chris Grantano]

Do you think they'd edit out anyone that fails the test before showing it on ESPN?
Would they remove all of their results from the scoring (which could greatly affect everyone's score)? They would pretty much have to if they didn't want to address the "this guy failed the drug test" on TV. And in that case the trophy ceremony might not make it on TV at all.

I'm guessing for the TV broadcast they'll ignore the drug test completely just to simplify things and have a good show, but prize money and the WSM invite will happen behind the scenes based on the testing.


Good points James. I don't know; I was speculating. Maybe they'll just focus on the guys that pass and "overlook" mentioning the guy right next to him in the video. They do take quite a long time to produce these shows, so I wouldn't put it past them.

[Ryan Bracewell]

My question is this. Where are you going to compete AFTER the contest? ASC probly not. NASS who knows. So its possibly WSM or bust for everyone. Who is looking out for the future of the athletes that are going to compete in the show. Is there going to be a new amature and pro federation? Just a few questions.

Nick, if the am's do get screwed by competing in this, what is the AM federation for guys wanting to eventually compete as a pro in the WSM super-series. Everyone talks about NAS and ASC which are federations for IFSA(or formerly for IFSA).

[James Deffinbaugh]

Nick, if the am's do get screwed by competing in this, what is the AM federation for guys wanting to eventually compete as a pro in the WSM super-series. Everyone talks about NAS and ASC which are federations for IFSA(or formerly for IFSA).

I asked Dione point blank about her position on athletes competing in Phil's contest. Amateurs can do as they please. They have no affliation with any professional federation and are free to compete as they so choose without any worry of problems later from ASC. She did say that regardless of how any AM performs in this contest, they will not be considered pro in ASC until they go through the established system for earning their pro status. That is absolutely fair IMO.

Am's are fine.
Outside of this ASM contest, WSM only has super-series, and that's invite only. You would have to somehow really impress some WSM decision makers to do it without ASC shows.

[Ryan Bracewell]

Am's are fine.
Outside of this ASM contest, WSM only has super-series, and that's invite only. You would have to somehow really impress some WSM decision makers to do it without ASC shows.

Gotcha. I was not sure if there was an AM fed for WSM.

With IFSA looking like its going down, wouldnt this be a good time for NAS and ASM to join or be the AM fed in america for WSM. Just a thought.

[BradyJones]

Am's are fine.
Outside of this ASM contest, WSM only has super-series, and that's invite only. You would have to somehow really impress some WSM decision makers to do it without ASC shows.


not if you place top 6 at fit expo... they get an invite to super series

[James Deffinbaugh]

not if you place top 6 at fit expo... they get an invite to super series
Yeah I forgot about that, though that's also invite-only, right?

[Nick Best]

The Fit-Expo is open to all Pro's with an ASC card. Top six are automatically qualified for a SS show. NASS is the only amature federation. So my question is where are the ams going to get a pro card after the contest? There is only 1 position going to wsm. I would expect Mark, Karl, Maybe Dave and a few other SS guys already established to do the show. No amature is going to beat these guys. Then what? By the way, when you see Big Z, Vasyl,Misha, Aundus and the other top IFSA guys in SS events then IFSA will probly be done. This hasn't happened yet!

[DaneGarreau]

NASS is the only amature federation. So my question is where are the ams going to get a pro card after the contest? There is only 1 position going to wsm. I would expect Mark, Karl, Maybe Dave and a few other SS guys already established to do the show. No amature is going to beat these guys. Then what?

If you are an amateur it is fine to compete in Phil's show, you just won't be recognized as a pro by ASC. But afterwards you are welcome to compete in NAS contests, and then try and earn a pro card by winning a platinum plus contest.

So....doing Phil's show will not jeopardize anyone's amateur status.

[lhprop1]

If you are an amateur it is fine to compete in Phil's show, you just won't be recognized as a pro by ASC. But afterwards you are welcome to compete in NAS contests, and then try and earn a pro card by winning a platinum plus contest.

So....doing Phil's show will not jeopardize anyone's amateur status.

If you're an amateur and you beat the pros who show up, you should have absolutely no problem earning your pro card at a platinum plus.

[Barry Perkins]

If you're an amateur and you beat the pros who show up, you should have absolutely no problem earning your pro card at a platinum plus.

that's not necessarily true...everyone knows..there's more to it than just being good...you have to be good ...THAT day in competition....the right events...a little luck....and it also depends on who else is there AND shows up
...so just because you beat pros in one contest doesn't mean you can waltz into an AM platinum contest and clean house.... there are alot of variables..and the planets still need to align a bit.....and there are some monster amazing AMs out there...that don't always make it to the contests...this past nationals is a good example...alot of top AMs didn't make it...the Johnsons, Kirby's, Miskemens...etc...but that's strongman...

[Barry Perkins]

and with regard to the whole "Testing" thing...I think it's like this...

they will test..they will put on the show..who wins...wins....
the winners are who they are...BUT...if the tests come back positive for stuff...you just won't get your money....that's all.....i believe thats the way the entry mumbojumbo reads...

[Nick Best]

If you are an amateur it is fine to compete in Phil's show, you just won't be recognized as a pro by ASC. But afterwards you are welcome to compete in NAS contests, and then try and earn a pro card by winning a platinum plus contest.

So....doing Phil's show will not jeopardize anyone's amateur status.


Thanks for the info Dane. Thats what I was wondering.

Nick

[Chris Grantano]

and as far as ESPN goes.....

I didn't see anything official on that website about broadcast.

[Pete Berg]

You know I thought when this board started it was it incourage and to promote all strongman and to help it grow not to cut people down and to dictate to promoters how to run there meets.
When strongman started it took people from different sports and brought them together and tested there strength to see who was the strongest.
Now I may not agree with all Phil's ideas but he is not doing any thing new look at the deal with the winner going to WSM, Nas is doing the same thing with am's if you win a platinum plus you get a free ride to America's strongest man with out proving yourself.
With any one competing opens the door to other top level athletes from other sports to test them selves against other top level athletes without first having to do several meets to get a pro card, So the top powerlifters, Highland games, Oly lifters and so on can see who is the best of the strength sports and not have to take a way from there sport.
Now I understand that some of the IFSA and ASC guys can't compete because of contracts but maybe they will put one on and work out a simular deal.
The last thing here as far a pro card, I didn't see it on the entry that this is a pro meet and I'm not sure but I don't think that you need a pro card to compete at WSM because we are the only county that uses that system.
Finally I would like to see all this cutting people down stop because if don't it will tear this sport a part. Work together and incourage one another.

[davebeers]

anybody know the weights for the events?

[rjpe99]

You know I thought when this board started it was it incourage and to promote all strongman and to help it grow not to cut people down and to dictate to promoters how to run there meets.
When strongman started it took people from different sports and brought them together and tested there strength to see who was the strongest.
Now I may not agree with all Phil's ideas but he is not doing any thing new look at the deal with the winner going to WSM, Nas is doing the same thing with am's if you win a platinum plus you get a free ride to America's strongest man with out proving yourself.
With any one competing opens the door to other top level athletes from other sports to test them selves against other top level athletes without first having to do several meets to get a pro card, So the top powerlifters, Highland games, Oly lifters and so on can see who is the best of the strength sports and not have to take a way from there sport.
Now I understand that some of the IFSA and ASC guys can't compete because of contracts but maybe they will put one on and work out a simular deal.
The last thing here as far a pro card, I didn't see it on the entry that this is a pro meet and I'm not sure but I don't think that you need a pro card to compete at WSM because we are the only county that uses that system.
Finally I would like to see all this cutting people down stop because if don't it will tear this sport a part. Work together and incourage one another.


I would say that who ever wins Iowa has proven themselves.

[James Deffinbaugh]

I would say that who ever wins Iowa has proven themselves.
I think that was the point. You're obviously proving yourself when you get top 10 in the qualifers, and you're proving yourself when you win it.

[Pete Berg]

I would say that who ever wins Iowa has proven themselves.
You took what I said out of context. My comment was in reference of what poeple are saying about Phil's meet. In Phil's meet if you win it you get a chance of a life time by getting a free ride to the world's without doing a qualifier, some have ripped on Phil for this because they feel that the winner didn't prove them self. In the NAS wild card meet if you win you get the chance of a life time by getting to compete in America's without ever competing as a pro or qualifing in a pro meet, nobody complains about this. My point is that what Phil is doing is nothing new. I don't see much different between NAS and Phil execpt that in Phil's meet the reward is bigger. I did not try to imply that a winner of a wild card should not get a chance at ASM.

[Barry Perkins]

anybody know the weights for the events?

the qualifier...i'd have to say farmers in the 300'ish range....as well as log..probably 330'ish...

the rest I can't speculate..