SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — The P.E.I. strong woman competition is about much more than just podium finishes.
A strong camaraderie and support system amongst fellow athletes overshadow everything else.
“When I went in it the first year, I thought we would be competing against each other, but we were all competing together,” said Christine Gaudet, who participated in this event for the second time on Saturday. “I found an immense amount of support and that really made a difference.
“It’s not having other competitors watch you, it’s like having my teammates watching and cheering me on. That does make a huge difference.”
Gaudet, who is from Summerside, competed in her first competition at this event last year – just six months after she started lifting weights.
“I’m not one to put myself out there in front of people to do things, so it’s kind of a really scary thing when you see all those people standing in front of the crowd,” said Gaudet, 42. “It’s really just kind of surreal, for me.”
Kaleigh Peters likes the aspect of the athletes inspiring each other.
“I’m a competitive person, but I also like seeing what everybody else can do and it’s very encouraging,” said the 19-year-old from Crapaud. “It kind of makes you want to work harder seeing how hard everyone else works.”
Lilly repeats
Shelley Lilly of Summerside won the competition for the second year in a row. She finished with a total of 32 points, nine ahead of Peters. Gaudet was third with 20 points after finishing tied for last place in 2018
“It’s always nice (to win),” said Lilly, who is also the event organizer. “I’m not lying, I wasn’t expecting it.
“There were a couple of new girls entered this year and it’s great to see new women entering and trying it. There are definitely some strong women out there. I was nervous going into it for sure.”
Ironically, the top-three finishers all agreed their best event was the overhead press medley, which consisted of four different weights – a 40-pound dumbbell, 55-pound keg full of water, 75-pound keg full of sand and a 100-pound log.
“There were only a couple of us who got the 100-pound log up,” said Lilly, 44. “It’s a tough one to do because you have to lift it up over your head and lock both arms out.”
Peters added, “Last year, I couldn’t get the 100-pound log and I got that this year.”
Gaudet was especially pleased with her time in the overhead press medley.
“I did all that in 18 seconds,” she proudly added.
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Events
- P.E.I. strong woman competition events:
- Farmers Walk – competitors carried 130 pounds in each hand a maximum distance of 100 feet.
- Overhead press medley of four different weights – 40 pound dumb bell, 55-pound keg full of water, 75-pound keg full of sand and a 100-pound log.
- Sand bag toss – competitors threw a 40-pound sand bag over their head as many times as required to get to 50 feet.
- Lobster crate pull – competitors pulled crate full of 200 pounds.
- Tire flip – competitors flipped a 300-pound tire
- Note: All events were a minute in length.
Eight competitors
Eight competitors participated in the five-event competition.
“Overall, it was a very successful event,” assessed Lilly. “Last year, we had seven (competitors) and were supposed to have nine this year, but one had to pull out because she had an injury (the week of the competition), but she still came and supported everybody.”
This was the third year the event, which was sponsored by Tri-Tech Services, Tradewinds Eco-Energy Solutions, Lion’s Den, Adrenaline Athletic Club and Kristine’s Arbonne Experience, was held on the grounds of Credit Union Place as part of the Lobster Carnival. Lilly noted fan support has grown each year.
“The first year, people were walking by and stopped and were (like), ‘That’s cool, let’s watch this,’” said Lilly. “They have come back the last couple of years and there were definitely a couple of hundred people there.”
Standings
P.E.I. strong woman competition final standings:
Shelley Lilly, Summerside 32 points
Kaleigh Peters, Crapaud 23 points
Christine Gaudet, Summerside 20 points
Jennifer Pizio-Perry, Greenmount 18 points
Amy Kinch, Tyne Valley 18 points
Krista Bryson, Summerside 13 points
Sheena Shaw, Tyne Valley 11 points
Kendra MacIntyre, Richmond 9 points
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