Fergus, Ontario - Ryan Vierra is known for consistency and the three-time Highland Games Heavy Events World Champion turned four second-place finishes today into first place after the first day of the World Championships.


Ryan Vierra finishes the first day of the Highland Games Heavy Events World Championships with second place in the caber and the overall lead (Fergus, Ontario). IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Sean Betz won the first two events today, the Braemar stone and the 28-pound weight for distance, with Vierra in second place both times. In the heavy hammer, Bruce Aitken won, followed by Vierra in second and Betz in third, so Betz had a one-point lead over Vierra going into the first day's final event, the caber. Alastair Gunn won the caber, followed by Vierra in second place and James Parman in third place.

Places and points after the first day are:

1. Ryan Vierra, 8.5 points
2. Sean Betz, 11
3. Harrison Bailey, 18
4. James Parman, 20.5
5. Bruce Aitken, 22
6. David Brown, 23
7. Alastair Gunn, 27
8. Joel Thiessen, 31
9. Stephen Aitken, 32
10. Greg Hadley, 32
11. Dirk Bishop, 39

The World Championships continue tomorrow, with another huge, enthusiastic crowd expected in Fergus, Ontario.