Local Team Claims Men's 1700lb Tug of War Championship at the 145th Antigonish Highland Games
Aleisha Laureijs, July 20th, 2008
ANTIGONISH, N.S. - The Antigonish North men's team held off Falmouth to win the Northeastern Nova Scotia Tug of War Championship at the 2008 Antigonish Highland Games. The final in the 1700lb class was held Sunday afternoon in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd in the stands at Columbus Field.
The final had a 15 minute time limit with five minutes of overtime. But after 15 minutes of pulling, the local team had a decisive upper hand over the struggling Falmouth team.
Antigonish team member Paul MacGillivray has been pulling Tug of War for two years. His involvement in the sport isn't surprising - family members from two generations before him have also competed on local Tug of War teams.
MacGillivray says today’s win resulted from hard work and practice behind the scenes.
“There are ten guys on the team, and we practice three times a week,” he says.
Practices are held under the guidance and instruction of coaches Robbie Neary and Mary-Lynn and Mike MacDonald.
The local Tug of War teams compete at various festivals and events in the province throughout the summer. “We usually have a pull every exhibition and a tournament every two or three weeks,” MacGillivray says.
Tournaments are located in various parts of the province, as are the competing teams. “There’s teams in Inverness, in Falmouth, two in Antigonish, and other junior teams throughout the province,” he continued.
“There is a provincial trophy as well,” he adds. “It’s usually held in Truro, I believe.”
Tug of War competitions were held in three divisions at this year’s Highland Games - the Women’s 1450lb division, the Youth 1200lb division and the Men’s 1700lb division. Tug of War was revived at the Highland Games in 2005 and has quickly established itself as a favorite event for both spectators and competitors alike.
Click here to view the 1700lb Tug of War Championship photo gallery.
