Best Worlds Strongest Man (?)

[Snowdaddy]

I've managed to record and watch almost every WSM. In my opinion some years were easier to win than others depending on who was competing and what their physical condition was (injured or not). In the early years mostly football players and bodybuilders competed where as today WSM competitors train specifically for strongman.
In your opinion, what year would have been the most difficult to win because of who was competing? Personally I think the 1999 WSM in Malta would have been it. Here is a list of competitors and their placing.

1. Jouko Ahola(Finland)60 pts.
2. Janne Virtanen(Finland)53 pts.
3. Svend Karlsen(Norway)52.5 pts.
4. Hugo Girard(Canada)49.5 pts.
5. Magnus Samuelsson(Sweden)47 pts. (injured)
6. Berend Veneberg(Netherlands)41 pts.
7. Torfi Olafsson(Iceland)29.5 pts.
8. Jamie Barr(Scotland)23 pts.
9. Laszlo Fekete(Hungary)22.5 pts.
10. Rene Minkfitz(Denmark)0 pts. (injured)

Here is a link that shows the placings for all the WSM from 1977 to present.

www.theworldsstrongestman.com/wsm/history/history.html

Thanks for the input.

[McLifter]

Check out 1985, 1992, 1994, 2000 All very close competitions with excellent fields.

Brock

[Rehband]

I am partial to the earlier competitions (because the sport was still in its infancy). I was always impressed with Bill Kazmaier's performance.
Some big names in the earlier meets: Bruce Wilhelm, Ken Patera, Joe Dube, Lou Ferrigno, Franco Columbu...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQTyp8Zyq2s

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVOMnwIz2SI&feature=related