Staff photo by Fritz Busch Hal Wolff, left, of New Braunfels, Tx, talks to Bob Shalack of North Hanover, N.J. at the U.S. Steinholding Qualifying Event at the Downtown Polka Palooza Friday. Shalak finished first among 15 male contestants, holding his stein for nine minutes, 50 seconds. Wolff finished second, holding his stein for seven minutes, 20 seconds.

NEW ULM — A New Jersey couple who drove to New Ulm to compete in the U.S. Steinholding Association Qualifying Event won the men’s and women’s division at Polka Palooza Friday.

Bob Shalak of North Hanover, N.J. held his stein for nine minutes, 50 seconds for the win. Hal Wolff of New Braunfels, Tx finished second at seven minutes, 20 seconds.

“It feels great, like it always does. Great people, great competition is nice. In terms of steinholding, this is a solid 10,” Shalak said after the contest.

The win put him into the Minnesota State Steinholding Finals Saturday, Oct. 3 on Center Street at New Ulm’s Oktoberfest.

“I look forward to seeing you guys again,” he said.

Shalek has competed in and won many steinholding events in the last few years including the Hofbrau National Championship in Central Park, New York last year in which he held a stein for 24 minutes, 14 seconds.

Wolff was gracious in defeat but will also advance to the Minnesota State Championship as the top two men and women advance.

“Sometimes second place is a victory. I couldn’t have gone any longer,” he said. “I’ve competed with some of the best steinholding competitors in the world including Bob Shalak and two other men who have five of the top six steinholding times ever. I felt the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce did a wonderful job with these contests, held here for the first time at this level.”

Chantell Shalek even appeared to smile a little early in her victory, holding a stein for three minutes, 50 seconds.

“This is exciting. I didn’t expect to be able to win this against New Ulm women that are much heartier than me. I needed to climb up and down a ladder to get on the stage,” she said. “I want to get to six minutes to be able to win on a national stage.”

New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Sarah Warmka said Suzanne Kral of Sleepy Eye was not recognized initially as a competitor in the women’s event but will be allowed to advance to the state finals Oct. 3 in New Ulm.

Other steinholding events with winners qualifying for the state finals in New Ulm include 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 8 at the Forbidden Barrel Brewing Co. in Worthington; 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 15 at the Brown County Free Fair in New Ulm; Friday and Saturday, Sept. 18-19 at the Mineral Springs Brewery in Owatonna; 8:15 p.m., Friday, Sept. 18 and 7:15 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Duluth Oktoberfestival, Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Voyageur Brewing Company, Grand Marais; Luce Line Brewing Co., Plymouth; Ursa Minor Brewing, Duluth; and Boathouse Brothers Brewing, Prior Lake, time and date to be arranged.

On Saturday morning, 840 ping pong balls, each marked with discounts from participating local businesses and two good for $50 in New Ulm Chamber Dollars, were dropped to hundreds of people from as far away as Nebraska on the roof of Gallery 512 Boutique.