Lundstrom Stones
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The Lundstrom Stones (previously known as the Loon Stones) are a pair of American natural lifting stones located in Charlestown, New Hampshire.[1][2] They are used as a test of physical strength and endurance.[3]
History
[edit]The pair of stones were found by blacksmith and stone-lifter John Lundstrom from North Reading, Massachusetts who often competed at farmer's walk type events during the late 70s and early 80s as a member of Clan Anderson.[4][3] At the time, the heaviest stones used in Highland games in both United States and Canada were upto a combined 186 kg (410 lb), and they were not challenging enough. Lundstrom searched through local quarries to find something suitable in the range of 227 kg (500 lb).[1]
Specifications
[edit]In 1983, after searching along the rock-strewn channel of the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River,[5] Lundstrom found two near elliptical stones which he thought would suffice the new challenge. One of them had a smooth surface and the other was rough, giving them a unique appearance.[3] After drilling and forging the two stones with steel rods, they were connected to a couple of iron gripping rings by a couple of chains.[5] The rough stone weighed 124.5 kg (274 lb) and the smooth stone weighed 106 kg (234 lb) for a combined weight of 230.5 kg (508 lb).[3] The poundages were engraved to the sides of each of them.
The objective is to pick up the two stones from their rings, stand upright, and then walk them as far as possible in farmer's walk style before the grip gives out.[1] Hundreds of competitors have lifted and carried the stones[6][7][8][9] at the Loon Mountain Highland Games of New Hampshire, the Quechee games, the Festival at Fort 4, and New England Stone Lifting.[10][11]
Since the death of Lundstrom in 2013, Robert Troupe acts as the custodian of the stones.[4]
World records
[edit]- All-time world record – 42.93 meters (140 ft 10 in) by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson
(2015)[5][12][13]
- → Former record holders include Benedikt Magnússon, Gerard Benderoth and Stefán Sölvi Pétursson.
- Master's (40y+) record – 14.28 meters (46 ft 10 in) by John Lundstrom
(2011)[1] - Women's record – 0.1 meters (3.9 in) by Chloe Brennan
(2023)[1][14]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "About The Lundstrom Stones". www.festivalatfort4.com. 14 March 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ "The Loon Stones". Eat Chalk Get Big. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d Jeck, Steve & Martin, Peter (1996). "Stones in the United States". OF STONES AND STRENGTH. California: IronMind Enterprises. ISBN 978-0-926-88805-0.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b No Fame Games (31 August 2024). "THE LUNDSTROM LIFT - John Lundstrom, fabricator of the famous Lundstrom Stones Carry". nofamegames.com. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ a b c "Highland Games and Festival draw some 40k visitors to Loon Mountain". JOHN KOZIOL for 'Union Leader'. 21 September 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ Hammerkate (24 September 2007). "Benedikt Magnusson Loon Stone Walk". YouTube. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ Mcmahost (25 September 2009). "Gerard Benderoth Loon Stone carry 2009". YouTube. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ Bryan Clifford (30 June 2024). "Going into the last event was the Lundstrom stone carry with 234 and 274lb ringed stones. I ended up with 24'4.5" for third in the event". Instagram. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ Loon Mountain (19 September 2009). "Loon Stone Carry". flickr.com. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ Laurence J. (22 September 2021). "Ultimate Guide to the NH Highland Games". journeysandjaunts.com. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ "Stone Lifting Information". www.festivalatfort4.com. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ "HAFPOR BJORNSSON SETS RECORD STONE CARRY". Matt Vincent for YouTube.com. 18 October 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ "Hafthor Bjornsson Breaks World Record". The Comeback Kid for YouTube.com. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
- ^ "I Set Another World Record! New Hampshire Highland Games and Stone Lifting". Chloe Brennan. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
