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.

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

  • Springboard - 35.67 seconds, set by Stirling Hart in 2016, with a wood diameter of 11"[2]
  • Stock Saw - 9.445 seconds, set by Martin Komarek in 2010, with a wood diameter of 16"[3]
  • Standing Block Chop - 12.11 seconds, set by Jason Wynyard in 2003, with a wood diameter of 12"[3]
  • Underhand Chop - 12.28 seconds, set by David K. Bolstad in 1999, with a wood diameter of 13"[3]
  • Single Buck - 9.395 seconds, set by Jason Wynyard in 2007, with a wood diameter of 19"[3]
  • Hot Saw - 4.83 seconds, set by Adam Lethco 2022, with a wood diameter of 19"[3]
  • Relay - 45.10 seconds, set by Australia in 2018 - teammates Brad De Losa, Brayden Meyer, Glen Gillam and Jamie Head

American records

Stihl Timbersports U.S. Men's Championship Finals at German Fest 2023 in Milwaukee
  • Springboard - 39.96 seconds, set by Matt Bush in 2004, with a wood diameter of 11"[3]
  • Stock Saw - 9.67 seconds, set by Logan Scarborough in 2015, with a wood diameter of 16"[3]
  • Standing Block Chop - 13.15 seconds, set by Matt Bush in 2003, with a wood diameter of 12"[3]
  • Underhand Chop - 13.78 seconds, set by Matt Cogar in 2017, with a wood diameter of 13"[3]
  • Single Buck - 10.34 seconds, set by Dave Jewett in 2015, with a wood diameter of 19"[3]
  • Hot Saw - 5.085 seconds, set by Matt Bush in 2003, with a wood diameter of 19"[3]
  • Relay - 51.45 seconds, set by American teammates Jewett, Cogar, Lentz and Willard in 2015[3]

Australian records

  • Springboard - 45.17 seconds, set by Brayden Meyer in 2017, with a wood diameter of 11"[4]
  • Stock Saw - 11.45 seconds, set by Brad De Losa in 2016, with a wood diameter of 16"[4]
  • Standing Block Chop - 14.10 seconds, set by Mitch Argent in 2017, with a wood diameter of 12"[4]
  • Underhand Chop - 16.41 seconds, set by Glen Gilliam in 2019, with a wood diameter of 13"[4]
  • Single Buck - 14.71 seconds, set by Brad De Losa in 2015, with a wood diameter of 19"[4]
  • Hot Saw - 6.03 seconds, set by Brad De Losa in 2016, with a wood diameter of 19"[4]

Canadian records

  • Springboard - 35.67 seconds, set by Stirling Hart in 2016, with a wood diameter of 11"[2]
  • Stock Saw - 11:87 seconds, set by Ben Cumberland in 2016, with a wood diameter of 16"[5]
  • Standing Block Chop - 15:15 seconds, set by Nathan Cumberland in 2016, with a wood diameter of 12"[5]
  • Underhand Chop - 20:60 seconds, set by Marcel Dupuis in 2016, with a wood diameter of 13"[5]
  • Single Buck - 11:23 seconds, set by Ben Cumberland in 2016, with a wood diameter of 20"[5]
  • Hot Saw - 9:04 seconds, set by Stirling Hart in 2016, with a wood diameter of 20"[5]

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]

  • Carson Bosworth - 2016
  • Harry Burnsworth - 2016
  • Spike Milton - 2016
  • David Bolstad - 2015
  • Matt Bush - 2015
  • Rolin Eslinger - 2015

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]

  • Springboard - The competitor uses two spring boards to ascend to the top of a nine-foot pole and chop a firmly attached 12" diameter block from the top of the pole. The block must be chopped from both sides.
  • STIHL Stock Saw - Competitors begin with both hands on the log. When the signal is given, the sawyers, using identical STIHL professional MS661 C-M chain saws with a 20-inch bar and 33RSC3 chain, make two cuts through identical logs. No more than 4" of wood, which is marked by a black line, can be cut.
Underhand chop
  • Underhand Chop - The competitor stands, feet apart, on a 12"-14" log. At the signal, he or she begins chopping through the log. Before chopping all the way through he or she must turn and complete the cut from the other side. Time ends when the log is severed completely.
  • Single Buck - Competitors make one cut through 18"-20" of white pine using a single person cross cut saw. The competitor may have a helper to wedge the log and keep the saw lubricated. Time ends when the block is clearly severed.
Standing block chop
  • Standing Block Chop - Competitors race to chop through 12"-14" of white pine. The competitor must chop from both sides of the log and the time ends when the block is severed.
  • Hot Saw - In this event the competitor uses a customized chain saw with a modified engine. At the signal, the competitor starts the saw and makes three cuts. The competitor must cut no more than 6" from the log which is marked with a black line.

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

World Relay Champions

2010 - New Zealand New Zealand
2011 - Australia Australia
2012 - New Zealand New Zealand
2013 - New Zealand New Zealand
2014 - Australia Australia
2015 - Australia Australia
2016 - Australia Australia
2017 - New Zealand New Zealand[11]
2018 - Australia Australia
2019 - Australia Australia
2022 - Australia Australia

World Rookie Champions

  • 2014 - Canada Nathan Cumberland[12]
  • 2015 - Canada Ben Cumberland[13]
  • 2016 - Canada Ben Cumberland
  • 2017 - Sweden Ferry Svan[14]
  • 2018 - Australia Daniel Gurr
  • 2019 - New Zealand Chris Lord
  • 2022 - Australia Jack Argent

United States Champion

  • 2008 - United States Arden Cogar Jr.
  • 2009 - United States Arden Cogar Jr.
  • 2010 - United States Arden Cogar Jr.
  • 2011 - United States Melvin Lentz
  • 2012 - United States Arden Cogar Jr.
  • 2013 - United States Matt Cogar
  • 2014 - United States Matt Cogar
  • 2015 - United States Matt Cogar
  • 2016 - United States Matt Cogar[15]
  • 2017 - United States Matt Cogar[16]
  • 2018 - United States Matt Cogar
  • 2019 - United States Cassidy Scheer
  • 2021 - United States Jason Lentz
  • 2022 - United States Matt Cogar

British Champion

  • 2012 - United Kingdom Spike Milton
  • 2014 - United Kingdom Robert Chatley
  • 2015 - United Kingdom Elgan Pugh
  • 2016 - United Kingdom Elgan Pugh
  • 2017 - United Kingdom Elgan Pugh
  • 2018 - United Kingdom Elgan Pugh
  • 2019 - United Kingdom Elgan Pugh
  • 2021 - United Kingdom Elgan Pugh
  • 2022 - United Kingdom Glen Penlington

European Champion

  • 2002 - Switzerland Thomas Gerber
  • 2003 - Czech Republic Martin Komarek
  • 2004 - Czech Republic Martin Komarek
  • 2005 - Czech Republic Martin Komarek
  • 2006 - Czech Republic Martin Komarek
  • 2007 - Germany Dirk Braun
  • 2008 - Germany Dirk Braun

European Champion crew

Canadian Champion

  • 2005 - Canada J.P. Mercier[17]
  • 2007 - Canada J.P. Mercier[17]
  • 2014 - Canada Stirling Hart[18]
  • 2015 - Canada Marcel Dupuis[19]
  • 2016 - Canada Stirling Hart[18]
  • 2017 - Canada Mitch Hewitt
  • 2018 - Canada Nathan Cumberland
  • 2021 - Canada Marcel Dupuis
  • 2022 - Canada Marcel Dupuis

Canadian Men's Rookie Champion

  • 2014 - Canada Nathan Cumberland[12]
  • 2015 - Canada Ben Cumberland[13]
  • 2016 - Canada George Williams[20]
  • 2017 - Canada Thomas Henderson
  • 2018 - Canada Connor Morse 
  • 2022 - Canada Thian Carman

Canadian's Women's Champion

  • 2016 - Canada Janet Walker[21]
  • 2016 - Canada Caitlin Carroll[22]
  • 2017 - Canada Kelly Bowness
  • 2018 - Canada Anita Jezowski
  • 2021 - Canada Janet Walker
  • 2022 - Canada Ally Briscoe

See also

  • World Logging Championship

References

  1. ↑ 2017 Canadian Tour Rules and Regulations. Stihl Timbersports Athletes Package: Stihl Timbersports Canada. 6 April 2017.
  2. 1 2 "Stihl Timbersports Result List" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Stihl Timbersports Records
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 https://www.stihl.com.au/australian-records.aspx Stihl Timbersports Records]
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "2021 Canadian Championships". Stihl Timbersports Canada. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  6. ↑ "Timbersports Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on 24 August 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  7. ↑ Stihl Timbersports
  8. ↑ Stihl Timbersports
  9. ↑ Lumberjack Planet
  10. ↑ "Brad Delosa Athlete Page". Archived from the original on 1 August 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  11. ↑ "Australia wins world Championship third time in a row". Stihl Timbersports. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  12. 1 2 "Nathan Cumberland". Stihl Timbersports Canada. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  13. 1 2 "Ben Cumberland". Stihl Timbersports Canada. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  14. ↑ "The Wayback Machine has not archived that URL" (PDF). Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  15. ↑ "Matt Cogar wins fourth title". Stihl Timbersports. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  16. ↑ "STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Series Champions List | STIHL USA Mobile". stihlusa.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  17. 1 2 "J.P. Mercier". Archived from the original on 20 October 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  18. 1 2 "Stirling Hart". Stihl Timbersports Canada. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  19. ↑ "Marcel Dupuis". Stihl Timbersports Canada. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  20. ↑ "George Williams". Stihl Timbersports Canada. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  21. ↑ "Janet Walker". Stihl Timbersports Canada. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  22. ↑ "Caitlin Carroll". Stihl Timbersports Canada. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
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