SAWDUST AND SAND HEADLINE VIRGINIA BEACH OCEANFRONT'S 1ST
STREET PARK
2005 STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Brings 20th Anniversary
Series and World Championships to the Beach
Release Date: IMMEDIATELY
Press Contacts:
Anita Gambill (757) 486-9151 or
Terry Kelley (757) 340-7425
All other inquiries:
STIHL Incorporated
(757) 486-9100
(Virginia Beach, Va.) - After two rounds of qualifying events
in Menomonie, Wisc. and Lake Charles, La., the "Elite
Eight" of the lumberjack sporting world will assemble
in Virginia Beach, Va., September 23 and 24 to compete for
the 2005 title of STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series Champion.
Additionally, 13 worldwide competitors will compete on Sunday,
Sept. 25 for the first-ever, STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS®
World Championship title.
Now in its 20th anniversary season, the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS®
Series will keep spectators riveted with a variety of gut-wrenching,
sweat-flying disciplines, such as the Single Buck, Stock and
Hot Saw, and Underhand, Standing and Springboard Chops. Only
the top eight of an original 32 competitors have qualified
to compete including three Americans, Matt Bush of Crogan,
N.Y.; Mike Forrester of Idleyld Park, OR; Mike Sullivan of
Colebrook, CT; Aussies, Dale Ryan of Katoomba, NSW; Brad DeLosa
of Blackheath, NSW; and Kiwis, Dion Lane of Auckland; five-time
champion Jason Wynyard of Massey, Auckland, and returning
champion, David Bolstad of Taumarunui, NZ.
All events will take place at 1st street and Atlantic Ave.
on the Rudee Inlet Loop at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
Events will run from 1:00-6:00 pm, Sept. 23-25, and will be
free of charge and open to the general public. Parking for
the event can be found between 1st and 9th streets at on-street
meters, municipal lots and the 9th Street Parking Garage.
"Spectators will witness the precision, power and speed
of professional axe men competing at breakneck speeds,"
said Roger Phelps, promotional communications manager for
STIHL Inc. "If you have ever watched the Series on ESPN
and said 'Bet I could do that,' you will realize that it's
not that easy."
This year brought a new change in format in order to provide
head-to-head competition in an Olympic-style pool format.
The original lineup of 32 competitors was cut in half in the
opening competition in Menomonie, Wisc., and narrowed to the
"sweet 16" in Lake Charles, La. This month, oceanfront
spectators will witness the "elite eight" compete
for the right to claim the 2005 STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS®
Championship title, a new Dodge RAM pick-up and a prize purse
valued at over $250,000.
In addition to the crowning of the Series Champion on the
24th, an extra day of competition will pit the finest competitors
from 13 countries in the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® World
Championships and award the first world championship crown
on Sunday, September 25.
" 'The Battle at the Beach' will feature three days
of the best lumberjack sports competitors ever assembled and
will be broadcast to both U.S. and European audiences,"
said Phelps.
As an added bonus to fans, STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® has
added 10 of the world's best pole climbers, and 11 female
boom runners to the competition. Among these athletes include
Lake Charles speed climbing Gold medallist, Kasey Swenson;
11-time World Champion Boom Runner, Jenny Atkinson; and 9-time
World Champion and Women's Boom Run World Record holder, Mandy
Erdmann. These events are the latest addition to the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series and will appear on the ESPN broadcasts.
"Our goal with the new format was to stay true to the
traditions and premiere status of our athletes while adding
an exciting new element," said Phelps. "The new
format allows for a greater number of new competitors and
we were able to recognize some of the other disciplines that
are a part of lumberjack sports, such as speed climbing and
women's boom running."
Dodge, the official truck of the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS®
Series, will showcase some of the latest Dodge vehicles and
Carhartt, official workwear sponsor for the Series, will operate
its show trailer with displays and prizes. ESPN2
will air the events this November and December and rebroadcast
them throughout the year.
For more information on the latest updates and event results
throughout the course of the competition, access our website:
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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