The Day Has Arrived! - Men's Comp Day

Last night, the city was buzzing with activity as the University of Kentucky Basketball team was playing. It’s one of the biggest nights in the city – with riots due to occur regardless of a win/lose scenario. Away from the action, our teams along with most other competing teams decided not to go out, a small sacrifice to make in order to give their best performances in the games the following day.

The team were up at 6am for an apprehensive and rushed breakfast via Denny’s and to arrive at the site in time for the 8am start. It was fairly quiet on site – the usual cheer and banter being replaced by nerves, focus and tension. Countless hours of practice over the last six months reach their purpose over the next 7 gruelling events, everyone knows its for real now and wants to do their team proud.

Each team has a schedule to follow: Team Sandvik Team B Survey 8-10 Gold Pan 8-10 Gold Pan 10-12 Jackleg 9.30-10 Jackleg 11.30-12 Survey 10-12 Track 12-1 Handsteel 12-1 Mucking 1-2 Swede Saw 1-2 Handsteel 2-3 Track 2-3 Swede Saw 3-4 Mucking 3-4 Team B start at 8am on Gold Pan as Team Sandvik (Liam and Dom) started surveying. Team B decided to adopt a slow, steady approach to the gold Pan, which was a good tactic. It was unfortunate that one shot was lost, resulting in a 5 minute penalty. With all the team players under the same pressure to perform, there is a brilliant sense of camaraderie and genuine understanding, if things do not go as planned which shows a true friendship is forged within these teams.

Liam and Dom completed the surveying and results will be released at the end of the day. Dave and Scott headed over to the Jackleg site and both looked very grave at the task ahead. The Jackleg requires stamina, strength and accuracy for the entire 3 minutes. It is the most challenging individual task of the mining games as apart from your team member for support, it is a battle between a vibrating chunk of machinery and a concrete block. Technique is crucial to quickly collar your holes and then drive the drill bit as straight and cleanly as possible. A void in the concrete had resulted in the adjacent team drilling at a slight angle that intersected with Dave’s first hole. He quickly removed the drill and created a second one – however the judges realised the issue and allowed him a re-drill later in the day. He performed well under such challenging circumstances. Scott’s had a textbook perfect drill – he was very calm and efficient and achieved a great result.

_MG_3804

_MG_3986

_MG_4045

_MG_4150

By mid-morning, teams had completed a couple of events and results were starting to be posted up. The variation in results start to show as one team lost 3 shots in the gold pan and another had a 7.5 mile surveying error. One team set a benchmark 1.13 minute time on the saw whilst another had a fantastic 1.03 minute individual gold pan time. There were some complaints about the proximity of the teams completing survey calculations and speculation on whether teams should be further apart to avoid copying. Overall, the teams are considered to be really strong competition this year – everyone has really brought their best to compete. Teams really show their appreciation of other teams achievements and some true sportsmanship is displayed with cheers and handshakes.

Team Sandvik moved onto the Gold Pan and it was a mixed performance. Torin achieved an incredible 52 second gold pan to find all 5 shots whilst there was a near miss as Dom was under pressure to find the final shot. The whole team breathed a huge sigh of relief when the gold pan was over! Shortly afterwards, Alex and Angus stepped up to the Jackleg for their individual drills. Alex breezed through and achieved full length drills and Angus also delivered an excellent job under pressure with 2 full clean drills. Team B was then given a redrill for Dave due to the earlier void. The teams are used to the weight as it is similar to the Holman’s Jack leg it is just a matter of how much throttle and when.

At 11am, as the weather warms up, the first set of results are up and currently Team Sandvik are 3rd place on drill and gold pan but are hoping to place in the top 6. Alex is also hoping Team Sandvik can place top 5 in Jackleg as they stand a good chance. The mucking times range from 2.47-4.43. Everyone is in agreeance that the standard just keeps getting better each year. Practice is the only way to improve times and it seems that all 16 teams have been putting in the effort the past 6 months. Rolla and Montana Tech seem to having the fastest times at the moment and are certainly the teams to keep an eye on. At this early stage of the day and a couple of events completed, Team B’s Captain Dave is excited for the team ‘we are here to show the American’s why we are still here and that the British are back with a vengeance.’ The pressure is on as an update passes through that the Missouri alumni team deliver a 57 second Swede Saw with one member reaching an incredible 6 seconds!

_MG_4007

_MG_4127

_MG_4183

_MG_4101

Team Sandvik move on to Track. Setup was well executed with excellent communication and each member clearly knew what to do. A great timing of 1.34 minute take down resulted in 5.12 total. Team B watched for support and then moved onto the Handsteel. Tom starts the Handsteel and it’s a very intense event. Lots of shouting, encouragement and pressure to perform amidst pure fatigue and failing accuracy. The attitude of everyone was a real credit to them and they showed serious representation for CSM in this event.

As a subway lunch arrives, there is less dialogue between teams compared the previous days – everyone is fully focused and putting in their best efforts. The stock of sun cream is depleting as the sunshine beats down on the competitors. In preparation of Team Sandvik’s mucking, they watch the 2016 Mens A team video for motivation followed by a pep talk. Team B take a moment to eat and come together to support Team Sandvik. As Team Sandvik take centre stage in the hotly anticipated Mucking event the crowd swells as people bring their chairs and lunch to watch. The Nippers alumni team just scored a 3:02 time and the current 2:47 winning time is at the forefront of the teams mind. Alex brings them in for a pep talk after the judges briefing. They take their time to set up – even cleaning along the full length of the rails – in a display of how seriously CSM covet this event. The unusual use of coal as the substrate is physically demanding it may be lighter but it is an aerosol nightmare for the screeners. The team take position to push the cart and they have a good run before returning back to fill the cart. At 2:37, the cart looks adequately filled and the crowd is screaming at the team to go. There is so much love and support for this event as it is the most thrilling event for the spectators. The team bomb the cart down and back to achieve a worthy 3:01 time and a huge round of applause. The screeners are covered in soot – in their teeth, eyes and hair.. After a great result, Team B make their way to the Swede Saw and achieved a respectable 1:37min. At 2pm, the results currently favour Rolla A, Orphan Boy, WASM Wallabies and Rolla B with some very strong timings.

Team B move onto track and manage to beat Team Sandvik by milliseconds with a time of 5:12. Team Sandvik move onto the hotly anticipated Handsteel (Dom, Angus, Lee, Torin, Liam). Liam was the superstar by delivering a truly sterling performance and blowing everyone away with his continual hand steel. Further success for Team B, when Captain Dave’s re-drill achieved 2 ¼ with a 3rd drill hole. Team Sandvik Swede Saw result was 1:22.

Overall, both teams performed incredibly well considering the intense competition. Everyone put 110% into each event - a very valiant effort – and certainly should be very proud of their times. Results: Team Sandvik finished 5th and Team B finished 10th overall. Overall Mens Rankings: 3rd = Orphan Boys (41 points) 2nd = Mucking Wildcats (39 points) 1st = Rolla B