Virginia Beach, Va. (Oct. 9, 2008) – In ideal weather, some 10,000 spectators flocked to the world championship of the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series presented by Carhartt and watched U.S. lumberjack Carson Bosworth finish third in the world, the highest placement for the U.S. in many years. Fifteen lumberjacks competed for the world title on the grounds of the Irish agriculture fair, Machinery & Livestock Exhibition near Kilkenny.
David Bolstad of New Zealand garnered his second consecutive world championship win, besting his 14 opponents in all six disciplines for a total of 90 points and, in the process, won the Carhartt chopping champion and sawing champion awards. Martin Komarek of the Czech Republic led the European athletes and placed second with 67 points. Bosworth of Lake Geneva, Wis. locked in third place with 62 points.
"It's been a difficult road for all of us on our journey here to the world championship," said Bosworth. "I'm proud to represent America in this sport and stand on the podium holding our flag."
Bosworth earned a berth in the world championship with his powerful performance at the U.S. national championship in Columbus, Ga. June 27-29. Bosworth is no stranger to this season finale though; he also represented the U.S. in the 2007 STIHL TIMBERSPORTS World Championship.
Bosworth has competed in lumberjack sports since he was a child. He attended his first lumberjack competition as a spectator at the young age of six months to watch his father compete. His father still competes today. Bosworth travels to New Zealand and Australia every winter to train, and is also in demand in Europe as a coach.
Bolstad won each of the six competitions with ax and saw purely from his quickness and technical skill. He placed well above the other world champion competitors, garnering a clearly deserved win.
"I am happy to compete among these other men. Each of them has tremendous skill and passion for our unique sport," said Bolstad. "It is a great privilege and surprise to be the world champion again this year."
The world championship marks the conclusion of the 23rd year of the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® series but there is no rest for organizers. The Mid-West regional competition of the 2009 STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Collegiate Series kicked off in September.
The STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series World Championship will air Dec. 21 at 1-1:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Times are subject to change without notice. For the complete ESPN2 schedule and more information, go to
www.ESPNOutdoors.com
and click on TIMBERPSPORTS, or visit
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 independent 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 STIHL's Web site at
www.stihlusa.com
.
STIHL Inc. is the official underwriting sponsor of the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series presented by Carhartt. The series airs throughout the year on the ESPN2 cable network, and the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Collegiate Series airs on ESPNU. The STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® SERIES is the pinnacle event in lumberjack sports. Since 1985 the Series has grown to become the premier showcase of the decades old sport of lumberjacking with competitions held around the world.
The term TIMBERSPORTS® is a registered trademark owned by ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KG. and refers to the series of disciplines and competitions that are part of the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series. As such, it should not be used as a generic description of the overall sport of lumberjack sports. This trademark refers to all modifications of the term TIMBERSPORTS such as timber sports, or timbersport. The term TIMBERSPORTS should always appear in conjunction with "STIHL."
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