# @pvellner on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DVT9lFJCcjD
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/58031857-pvellner-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/dbb92c9977.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-02-28T18:37:38.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Vellnerd (@PVellner) — https://gondola.cc/PVellner

## Caption

#SaturdayStoryTime - opening the open 
In honor of the start of the open this story is about the start of the open. Back in my day….
After rookie season performances that were respectable as hell, fikowski and I were invited to kick off the open for 17.1 in Montreal. Two Canadians in Canada, it was epic. 
Two important factors: 1) this was the first time we had Dumbbells in the open; 2) Brent and I had an open humiliation bet…
With regard to the former. DB snatch had been in competition before but there were some new movement standards. Specifically no non working arm contact, this is important later. Also neither of us had practiced hand passing and with 2 minutes prep we just didn’t do it. Briggs and Holte did this workout at the same time in Europe, they hand passed and massacred us. Fair play.
As for the latter. Brent started an humiliation with some friends years before and I was invited into the fold. Only first attempt counts, loser of each weeks workout has a predetermined humiliation. Now we all want to do our best, nothing, and I mean nothing, hurts like losing to your friend. this was a fun way for us to force ourselves to push and hold each other accountable in the open. It works, and it’s fun to see that tradition lives on now with Jayson, Dallin, Justin and James.
17.1 loser faced a water balloon firing squad and flour coating outside in the bitter Montreal winter. The Ro vs Boz loser joined in. This time out, that was Brent and Rory. 
HOWEVER, in the fallout at dinner I soon I felt a heavy hand on my shoulder. Flanked by his muscle boz says, “I’ve got some bad news”. It turns I made arm contact with my thigh, enough for a major penalty. We grabbed another beer and watched the tape. First rep of each set. Clear as day. The irony being that Boz was my judge and is kind of THE judge. No calls on the floor but apparently the live stream went ballistic 😂
Apologies all around, but I’m the one left holding the bill. Redo it is. 
The plus side is I hand passed on my redo and decimated my previous score. That’s how we make lemonade 🤷‍♂️. Anyways I technically lost I guess so I owe Brent an open humiliation. Some day…

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## Tags

saturdaystorytime

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