Jarek Dymek with the fourth Fingal Fingers (World's Strongest Man™, IMG Media Ltd.)
The action got underway with the Fingal Fingers, the first of two events scheduled for the second day of the Final. As in the qualifying round, the five fingers ranged in weight from 440 to 660 pounds.
With three hardcore challenges on the first day of the competition, there was no easing into the ultimate test in strength athletics. The three events for the day were the Power Stairs, the Deadlift, and the Overhead Lift.
Don Pope giving his all in the Bus Pull (World's Strongest Man™, IMG Media Ltd.)
For the first-time in the Final, Mariusz Pudzianowski showed some vulnerability. The three-time champ finished the Fingal Fingers in sixth place. For the second event in a row, the victory went to Phil Pfister, who produced a near-perfect run through the course. Polish rookie, Sebastian Wenta, picked up third place.
The contrasting fortunes of Pfister and Pudzianowski served to make the overall standings a little more interesting. After three events, Pudzianowski led Pfister by 2.5 points.
An 18 ton bus made the next event one of the most compelling that we've seen in years. The Bus Pull was absolutely brutal, taking an enormous toll on the athletes.
Sebastian Wenta making the Fingal Fingers look easy (World's Strongest Man™, IMG Media Ltd.)
No one was able to complete the 25 meter course, but once again it was Phil Pfister earning the win. His distance of 16.90 led the way. Mariusz Pudzianowski had to settle for second place after he was edged by 12 centimetres (or 4.72 inches).
Coming into the Final, Mariusz seemed supremely confident of his chances to add a fourth World's Strongest Man title. But after the Bus Pull, Pudzianowski's lead over Pfister in the overall standings continued to shrink. It was now, with two events remaining, 42.5 to 41 points.
(For full results from each day, please check the results section.)
