Stihl Timbersports Series

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The Stihl Timbersports Series is a series of woodsman or wood chopping competitions where the athletes compete in the use of axes and saws in manners typical for lumberjacks. It was founded in 1985, and currently includes six different disciplines, with both professional and collegiate divisions. The terms 'timbersports' and 'timber sports' are trademarked by Stihl Inc.

Contents

History

Stihl Timbersports began in 1985, and the earliest broadcasts were made from a field in Wisconsin, United States, using a single camera on a forklift. At this time, there was no overall Series championship. Instead, awards were given for performances in individual events on venues around the country. Stihl, however, had a vision of a series that would bring the best athletes together and let them compete in several events and thus determine who was the best overall lumberjack.

With the help of Granite State Lumberjack Shows, the Series evolved and has become a very prestigious competition. Athletes from all around the world take part in the Series with European athletes taking part in the Series since 2005.

The Series has also spawned a college series, the Stihl Timbersports Collegiate Series, involving over 60 collegiate woodsman teams in the US and Canada. The winner of this series automatically receives a seed for next year's professional series.

The Canadian Series created their first Women's Professional Division in 2013. 2017 marks the creation of their first Women's Professional Division.

The Series celebrated its 30th anniversary in the spring of 2015.

About

The Series involves both men and women competitors. There are currently three divisions: Men's Rookie Division, Men's Professional Division and Women's Professional Division. The three disciplines that are completed by the Pro Women's Division are Underhand Chop, Single Buck and Stock Saw. The four disciplines completed by the Men's Rookie Division are Underhand Chop, Standing Block Chop, Single Buck and Stock Saw. The six disciplines completed by the Men's Professional Division are Underhand Chop, Standing Block Chop, Spring Board, Single Buck, Hot Saw and Stock Saw.

In order to be chosen as a Stihl Timbersports Athlete, one must fill out an application form and an athlete resume. The resume consists of the best times with each discipline. After the application process they choose the top eight athletes from the East Coast for each division and the top eight from the West Coast. The Men's Professional Division automatically move on to the National Championship. The Men's Rookie and the Women's Professional Division have Qualifier Competitions on each coast, where the result being the top four competitors from each division move onto the National Championship. The Men's and Women's Professional Division does not have a maximum age limit. The Men's Rookie Division has a maximum age limit of 25. Currently there is not an established World Championship for the top female competitor. The men's divisions both compete for the top spot to move onto the World Men's Championship and the World Rookie Championship which is held in the European Union every fall. If one wins the World Rookie Division then one automatically must move up to compete in the Men's Professional Division. The Men's Professional Division also compete for spots on Team Canada to partake in the World Relay Champion's Trophy, also held in Europe every fall. [1]

World records

American records

Stihl Timbersports U.S. Men's Championship Finals at German Fest 2023 in Milwaukee German Fest 2023 25 (Stihl Timbersports U.S. Men's Championship Finals).jpg
Stihl Timbersports U.S. Men's Championship Finals at German Fest 2023 in Milwaukee

Australian records

Canadian records

Hall of Fame

Each year, starting in 2015, the Stihl Timbersports Series celebrates athletes who have made an impact in the sport by inducting them into the Timbersports Hall of Fame. Here are the inductees: [6]

Television coverage

The Series is currently seen by over 20 million viewers annually on a variety of networks across 62 countries, including ABC, ESPN, Eurosport, Outdoor Channel, Stadium and more. It is recognized as the longest running show on ESPN other than SportsCenter. [7] Tommy Sanders has served as on-air host of the American Series since 1992, whilst Dan Anstey has hosted the Australian edition since 2017.

Events

The Series currently involves six disciplines. [8] [9] [10]

Underhand chop Stihl Timbersports demo (Rotterdam 2023) 04 - underhand chop (cropped).jpg
Underhand chop
Standing block chop Stihl Timbersports demo (Rotterdam 2023) 01 - standing block chop (cropped).jpg
Standing block chop

Timbersports Champions

Each year across the US and world, Timbersports athletes battle to be named series champion. The Timbersports Series champions since the competition's inception are:

Series Champions

1985 - Flag of the United States.svg Mike Sullivan
1986 - Flag of the United States.svg Mel Lentz
1987 - Flag of the United States.svg Rolin Eslinger
1988 - Flag of the United States.svg Mel Lentz
1989 - Flag of the United States.svg Rolin Eslinger
1990 - Flag of the United States.svg Mel Lentz
1991 - Flag of the United States.svg Mel Lentz
1992 - Flag of the United States.svg Mel Lentz
1993 - Flag of the United States.svg Rolin Eslinger
1994 - Flag of the United States.svg Matt Bush
1995 - Flag of the United States.svg Mel Lentz
1996 - Flag of the United States.svg Harry Burnsworth
1997 - Flag of New Zealand.svg Jason Wynyard
1998 - Flag of New Zealand.svg Jason Wynyard
1999 - Flag of New Zealand.svg Jason Wynyard
2000 - Flag of New Zealand.svg Jason Wynyard
2001 - Flag of New Zealand.svg David Bolstad
2002 - Flag of New Zealand.svg Jason Wynyard
2003 - Flag of New Zealand.svg David Bolstad
2004 - Flag of New Zealand.svg David Bolstad
2005 - Flag of the United States.svg Matt Bush
2006 - Flag of New Zealand.svg Jason Wynyard
2007 - Flag of New Zealand.svg David Bolstad
2008 - Flag of New Zealand.svg David Bolstad
2009 - Flag of New Zealand.svg Jason Wynyard
2010 - Flag of New Zealand.svg Jason Wynyard
2011 - Flag of New Zealand.svg Jason Wynyard
2012 - Flag of New Zealand.svg Jason Wynyard
2013 - Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brad De Losa
2014 - Flag of New Zealand.svg Jason Wynyard
2015 - Flag of New Zealand.svg Jason Wynyard
2016 - Flag of New Zealand.svg Jason Wynyard
2017 - Flag of New Zealand.svg Jason Wynyard
2018 - Flag of Australia (converted).svg Laurence O'Toole
2019 - Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brayden Meyer
2021 - Flag of the United States.svg Jason Lentz
2022 - Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brad De Losa

World Relay Champions

2010 - Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand
2011 - Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia
2012 - Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand
2013 - Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand
2014 - Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia
2015 - Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia
2016 - Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia
2017 - Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand [11]
2018 - Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia
2019 - Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia
2022 - Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia

World Rookie Champions

United States Champion

British Champion

European Champion

European Champion crew

Canadian Champion

Canadian Men's Rookie Champion

Canadian's Women's Champion

See also

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References

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