#STIHL Timbersports®
2019 STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Australian Champions Trophy
On 27th April 2019 Geelong’s Steampacket Gardens on the picturesque foreshore will host Australia’s top 12 STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® athletes as they compete in the 2019 STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Australian Champions Trophy.
The Champions Trophy is the sport’s most physically enduring and extreme format that sees athletes compete in four of the six STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® extreme disciplines back-to-back, in a ruthless knockout competition. The Australian Champion will be the last man standing at the end of the day, and only he will do battle for the title of World Champion at the World Champions Trophy in Gothenburg, Sweden one month later on 25th May 2019.
“The Champions Trophy is known as the sports equivalent to Big Bash League cricket, it’s high energy all the way and Geelong’s Steampacket gardens is the perfect location for the festival event that will include, kids rides, food trucks and live music all free thanks to the support of the Geelong City Council” said Lee Gooch, STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Event Director.
The top athletes manage to chop through four blocks of wood in less than a minute, but only the best have what it takes to complete what is regarded as the sport’s toughest competition.
Australian’s have a rich history of success in all formats of the sport, but none more so than in the Champions Trophy competition; In 2017 Brad De Losa from Litghow, New South Wales claimed an unmatched third World Champions Trophy Title in Hamburg, Germany, making him the most successful athlete in the format. Whilst De Losa could only manage 2nd place in 2018’s Australian Qualifier, he’ll be back seeking redemption in Geelong. “It was extremely disappointing not to go back to Europe and defend my title last year, so I’ll be looking to make up for that in Geelong and prove I’m still the best in the World at the Champions Trophy” said De Losa.
Victoria’s Brayden Meyer form Broadford, Victoria and Sterling Hart of Canada are the only other athletes to have won the World Champions Trophy Competition since its invention in 2013. Hart took down Mitch Argent of Blackbutt, QLD in a thrilling semi-final in Marseille France last year on his way to victory and Meyer won the 2016 event in the mountains of St. Johan, Austria, at an amazing 2000 meters above sea level.
But this year all eyes will be on Laurence O’Toole from Doncaster, Victoria who won the 2018 STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Individual World Championship, the sport’s biggest prize that see’s athletes compete in all 6 of the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® disciplines. O’Toole will be looking to convert his amazing form of last year into the tough endurance format.
The title of Australian Champion isn’t the only reward on offer, the eventual winner will claim $20,000 in prize money in Geelong and up to potential $20,000 more in Sweden the following month.
Full Event Details
LOCATION: Steampacket Gardens, Geelong, VIC
DATE: Saturday 27th April 2019
ENTRY: FREE COMMUNITY EVENT!
SCHEDULE:
Qualification Time Trial: 11am -12pm
Knockout Rounds: 13:00 – 15:45
Grand Final: 15:45
CONFIRMED ATHLETES
- Laurence O’Toole (Doncaster VIC) – 2018 World Champion
- Brad De Losa (Lithgow NSW) – 2014, 2015, 2017 World Champions Trophy Winner
- Mitch Argent (Blackbutt QLD) – 2017 & 2018 Australian Champions Trophy Winner
- Brayden Meyer (Broadford, VIC) – 2016 World Champions Trophy Winner
- Daniel Gurr (Deloraine, TAS) – 2018 Rookie World Champ
- Kody Steers (Sheffield, TAS)
- Brent Rees (Perth, WA)
- Glen Gillam (Toongabbie, VIC)
- Matt Gurr (Deloraine, TAS)
- Blake Meyer (Broadford, VIC)
- Dale Ryan (Kattomba, NSW)
Up to 4 Wildcard entries – to be confirmed!
Can’t make it? Catch all of the axe-tion via the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS ® Facebook live stream on the day!
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