Australia makes STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® History
THE CHOPPEROOS ARE CROWNED STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® WORLD CHAMPIONS FOR A THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR
Australia has proven that it is king of the wood once again winning the title of ‘World Champions' at the 2016 STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® World Championship in Stuttgart, Germany for a third year running – a feat never before achieved in the history of the sport. They smashed their way to the top with two world records on the night, including a blistering new mark of 46.45 seconds in the final against the mighty Canada.
THE CHOPPEROOS OFFICIAL TITLE: 2016 STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® WORLD CHAMPIONS
More than 8000 fans crammed into the Porsche Arena for the world title night, with the event broadcast live to televisions around Europe and the United States, and live on Facebook to a global audience.
On their way to their third straight title Australia despatched Belgium, the home team Germany, the Czech Republic and finally Canada – who muscled past the USA in their semi. Following in the footsteps of Aussie F1 ace Daniel Ricciardo, the Aussies toasted their title with a shoey on stage to the delight of the crowd.
The world finals explained
The five-man Chopperoos team competed against the best axemen in the world, with more than 23 countries battling for a place on the podium. Competing in relay style, the Chopperoos charged through four technically demanding disciplines - Stock Saw, Underhand Chop, Single Buck and Standing Block Chop - to become World Champions.
The Chopperoos team members are the top competitive lumberjacks from around Australia:
NSW: Brad De Losa, Lithgow
VIC: Laurence O'Toole, Doncaster & Brayden Meyer, Broadford
QLD: Jamie Head, Redcliffe & Mitch Argent, Blackbutt
How the huge night unfolded for Australia
ROUND 1: The Chopperoos make big team changes to face Belgium. Brayden Meyer on Stock Saw, Laurence O'Toole on Underhand Chop, Jamie Head on Single Buck and Mitch Argent on Standing Block, with Brad De Losa rested for the final rounds should Australia get through. Despite a few errors the Aussies power home in 52.74 seconds to finish comfortably ahead of the Europeans. Highly-fancied New Zealand and Canada record faster times than Australia to win their rounds.
ROUND 2: Next up is host nation Germany. The crowd wants an upset. Australia returns to the set up that won the final in 2015 to ensure that doesn't happen. Jamie Head on Stock Saw, Brayden Meyer on Under Hand Chop, Brad De Losa on Single Buck and Mitch Argent on the Standing Block. The Aussies win comfortably – but not the perfect run they'd hoped. Pressure builds as the final rounds loom, but there's a big upset as the USA knocks out the highly-fancied Kiwis.
SEMI FINAL: It all clicks into gear for Australia against the Czech Republic, smashing the world record. The Aussies saw and chop their way through the four disciplines in an astonishing time of 46.91 seconds, sending the crowd into raptures. In the other semi, Canada downs the USA to set up a thrilling final - a repeat of 2014 where the Chopperoos quest for a three-peat all started.
THE FINAL: The Chopperoos save their best to last. With Jamie Head leading off on Stock Saw, the Aussies hold a slim lead going into the Underhand. Individual world record holder Brayden Meyer demolishes the block in blistering time, before Brad de Losa shows why he's the king of the Single Buck putting Australia into the lead for Mitch Argent to bring it home – smashing through the Standing Block in just 13 hits, 2 less than any competitor all night. The Aussies set a NEW WORLD RECORD of 46.45 seconds to be crowned WORLD CHAMPS!
ABOUT THE 2016 STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® SERIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
The 2016 STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® World Championships are being held in Stuttgart, Germany on Friday, November 11 and Saturday, November 12 (European time). Now in its 12th year, the 2016 event sees more than 100 athletes from over 23 countries compete at the Porsche Arena in Stuttgart. Competitors will be cheered on by a capacity crowd of 8000- plus on each day of the competition.
The STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Series is a global competition that attracts large crowds around the world, in the USA, Canada and Europe. The events also receive live coverage on TV throughout the US and Europe. Australia holds its own STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® event series which sees the top 8 athletes from around the country compete against each other to earn their spot on the Chopperoos team. The overall champion of the Australian Series wins the coveted position of Individual competitor at the World Championship, an honour for Brad De Losa in 2016.