RIVERFRONT CITY OF DUBUQUE WELCOMES FIRST ROUND OF STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® SERIES
Professional Lumberjack Series to Debut in Conjunction with Americas River Festival, June 10-11

Press Contacts:
Anita Gambill (757) 486-9151 or
Terry Kelley (757) 340-7425
All other inquiries:
STIHL Incorporated
(757) 486-9100

(Dubuque, Iowa) Offering a rich history and natural beauty, Dubuque Iowa will welcome the first stop of the 21st season of the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series, June 10-11. The Series, which airs later this year on ESPN2, will serve as one of the headlining events of the Americas River Festival, held in the Port of Dubuque. For fans of the Series who have watched it on ESPN, this is the chance to see all the saw-screaming, chip-flying action of the best lumberjack sports athletes in the world up close and personal, and be a part of the show. .

"As the Series continues to grow in prominence and prestige, we have more cities then ever bidding to be host sites,” said Roger Phelps, promotional communications manager for STIHL Inc. “Dubuque presented us with a very attractive proposal, and this, combined with their beautiful location on the Mississippi River, and the excitement of their America's River Festival, made Dubuque a natural choice as the host venue for the first qualifier of our 21st season."

STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® spectators will cheer on professional athletes from the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe, as they compete with a combination of speed, raw power and precision. The competition is comprised of six different disciplines, including the Single Buck, Stock and Hot Saw, Underhand, and Standing and Springboard Chops and only the best in the world qualify for the Series.

“Spectators will see lumberjack sports at its best,” said Phelps. “If you have ever watched the Series on ESPN and said Bet I could do that, once you see the competition up close, you will know its not that easy.”

The competitive format will provide head-to-head competition in an “olympic”-style pool format. The 32 competitors will face off in their respective groups over a two-day period. Each days events will determine which top 16 lumberjacks move on to the next round in Decatur, Ala. and who goes home.

“We are very excited about the worldwide explosion of interest in the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series,” said Phelps. “Our college series, now in its fourth year, is also growing and our 2005 Collegiate champion, Will Roberts, will enter the pro ranks in Dubuque. These really are exciting times for the Series and the sport."

Contestants in the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® series compete for points and qualifying positions in the overall battle for the 2006 STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® championship title, a new Dodge RAM pick-up truck, and a prize purse valued at more than $250,000.

Dodge, the official truck of the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series, will showcase some of the latest Dodge vehicles, Carhartt, official work wear sponsor for the Series, will operate its show trailer with displays and prizes, and Cabelas, official outfitter of the Series, will add to the excitement with the “Cabela-tron” and additional giveaways. ESPN2 will air the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Professional Series this November and December and ESPNU will air the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Collegiate Series this summer, with all shows rebroadcast throughout the year.

For more information and latest updates, log on to: www.stihltimbersports.com.

About STIHL Inc.
STIHL Inc. manufactures the world’s largest selling brand of chain saws and produces a full line of powerful, lightweight, and versatile handheld outdoor power equipment for homeowners and professional users. STIHL products are sold through servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast— not mass merchants. For more information or for the name of the closest STIHL retailer call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445) or visit the STIHL Web site at www.stihlusa.com.

For information on job opportunities with STIHL Inc., please go to www.stihlcareers.com. STIHL is an EEO and drug-free work environment.

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