Steinstossen
Encyclopedia
Steinstossen is the Swiss variant of stone put
, a competition in throwing a heavy stone. Practiced among the alpine population since prehistoric times, it is recorded to have taken place in Basel
in the 13th century. During the 15th century, it is frequently recorded to have been practiced alongside the Schützenfest
e of the Old Swiss Confederacy
. It is also central to the Unspunnenfest
, first held in 1805, with its symbol the 83.5 kg Unspunnenstein.
Stones used at festivals in Switzerland are of varying sizes and weights, but usually are not much over 50 kg.
, retaining the name in spite of the stone being replaced by a 15 kg block of iron.
has the distinction of the longest running competition, having run annually since 1956. Steinstossen at the Toledo German-American Festival began in 1989.
The competition is scheduled for a two-hour period beginning at 3:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday at the annual German-American Festival.
Contestants in the Men's division of the Steinstossen hurl a huge stone weighing 138 pounds during two-hour periods beginning at 3:00 on Saturday and Sunday. Contestants begin on a 20-foot runway, hurling the rock into a 4 inches (101.6 mm) sand pit. The winners at each session win prizes.
The record holder for 21 years was Jud Logan of North Canton, Ohio with a throw of 14 feet, 4 inches set at the Sugarcreek event. That record was broken by Kevin Marx of Toledo in 2009 with a throw of 15 feet, 3½ inches at the German-American Festival.
There is also a women's division of the Steinstossen, using a 75-pound stone. The women's record, set at the German-American Festival in 2007 by Becky Ball of Marblehead is 12 feet, 11 inches.
Stone put
The stone put is one of the main Scottish heavy athletic events at modern-day Highland games gatherings. Similar to the shot put, the stone put more frequently uses an ordinary stone or rock instead of a steel ball...
, a competition in throwing a heavy stone. Practiced among the alpine population since prehistoric times, it is recorded to have taken place in Basel
Basel
Basel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
in the 13th century. During the 15th century, it is frequently recorded to have been practiced alongside the Schützenfest
Schützenfest
A Schützenfest is a traditional festival or fair featuring a target shooting competition in the cultures of both Germany and Switzerland....
e of the Old Swiss Confederacy
Old Swiss Confederacy
The Old Swiss Confederacy was the precursor of modern-day Switzerland....
. It is also central to the Unspunnenfest
Unspunnenfest
Unspunnenfest is a festival held in the town of Interlaken, Switzerland, near the old ruin of Unspunnen Castle, in the Bernese Alps, approximately once every twelve years, most recently in 2006. The festival highlights traditional Swiss culture and features competitions of Steinstossen , Schwingen ...
, first held in 1805, with its symbol the 83.5 kg Unspunnenstein.
Stones used at festivals in Switzerland are of varying sizes and weights, but usually are not much over 50 kg.
Germany
In 1860, Steinstossen was introduced as a track-and-field discipline in GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, retaining the name in spite of the stone being replaced by a 15 kg block of iron.
United States
Within the United States, the Ohio Swiss Festival in SugarcreekSugarcreek, Ohio
Sugarcreek is a village in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, United States. The population was 2,174 at the 2000 census. It is known as "The Little Switzerland of Ohio."-History:...
has the distinction of the longest running competition, having run annually since 1956. Steinstossen at the Toledo German-American Festival began in 1989.
The competition is scheduled for a two-hour period beginning at 3:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday at the annual German-American Festival.
Contestants in the Men's division of the Steinstossen hurl a huge stone weighing 138 pounds during two-hour periods beginning at 3:00 on Saturday and Sunday. Contestants begin on a 20-foot runway, hurling the rock into a 4 inches (101.6 mm) sand pit. The winners at each session win prizes.
The record holder for 21 years was Jud Logan of North Canton, Ohio with a throw of 14 feet, 4 inches set at the Sugarcreek event. That record was broken by Kevin Marx of Toledo in 2009 with a throw of 15 feet, 3½ inches at the German-American Festival.
There is also a women's division of the Steinstossen, using a 75-pound stone. The women's record, set at the German-American Festival in 2007 by Becky Ball of Marblehead is 12 feet, 11 inches.