Product category:
Industrial Drives/Controls
News Release from: ABB Automation Tech (Drives and Motors)
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 31 May 2002
Drives are too light for world record
The world record for the "crucifix" strongman event has been broken by Janne Virtanen, Finland's strongest man, at ABB's Sales and Marketing conference in Helsinki, Finland.
The world record for the "crucifix" strongman event has been broken by Janne Virtanen, Finland's strongest man, at ABB's Sales and Marketing conference in Helsinki, Finland The former "World's Strongest Man" clocked 1min 24.50s, breaking the record of 1min 24.00s previously held by Jamie Reeves of the UK
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 8 Feb 2000 at 8.00am (UK)
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"It is a great feeling.
I am very happy to have set a new world record for the crucifix event, although it was very close.
To achieve this in front of an excellent crowd at the ABB conference means a lot to me", Virtanen said after the event.
Virtanen was invited to attempt the world record by ABB as part of the company's conference theme "stronger together".
The crucifix is widely regarded as one of the toughest and most strenuous events of the annual "Worlds Strongest Man" competition.
To achieve this new record, Virtanen held an ABB ACS 800 drive, in each hand, at arms length, in front of an audience of 150 people.
The ACS 800 is ABB's new drive that is substantially smaller than its rivals.
As such, the drive was loaded with weight to achieve the regulation 12.5kg, needed for the world record attempt.
"As I got towards the end, it became very difficult and extremely painful, but having 150 people screaming at me and giving their support really helped to give me those extra couple of seconds.
On a personal level, it is very good preparation for this years 'World's Strongest Man' competition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia", Virtanen continues.
Janne Virtanen has more than 10 years' experience in the sport of strength athletics.
He has been a very popular and entertaining competitor at a number of strength events around the world.
In 1998, 1999, and 2000 he won the title of Finland's strongest man and in 2000, he also won the prestigious title of the world's strongest man.
He recently appeared on the BBC television show "Record Breakers".
Virtanen is based at Turenki in Finland.
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