Malta - It was considered a crucial day at the World’s Strongest Man contest because the mix of events was likely to have a big impact on the standings so far - one thing that did not change, though, was Zydrunas Savickas’s position as the leader.

Proving his strength, Brian Shaw ripped through the Boat Pull at the World’s Strongest Man contest today, moving into third place overall.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.

Even if his margin was cut into today, Zydrunas Savickas is still at the head of the pack in the 2009 World’s Strongest Man contest; five-time World’s Strongest Man winner Mariusz Pudzianowski remains in second place, but Brian Shaw is now in third place, overall.

There were two events today, the Overhead Lift and the Boat Pull.  Savickas won the Overhead lift, with Derek Poundstone and Mariusz Pudzianowski tying for second place, and Travis Ortmayer coming in third.  The Boat Pull was expected to shake things up, and what it did was both showcase Brian Shaw, who won the event in a most dramatic manner, and solidify Zydrunas Savickas’s position as the man to beat for this year’s title.  Mariusz Pudzianowski was second in the Boat Pull and and Travis Ortmayer was third.

The action continues tomorrow, the final day, with the Deadlift and the Atlas Stones.  Follow the action with updates on the official World's Strongest Man website, the IronMind® News and the IronMind® Twitter page.  And even if you couldn’t make it to Malta in person for the 2009 World’s Strongest Man contest, there is contest merchandise available from the official World’s Strongest Man shop.