Formation 1985 | ||
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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 include six different disciplines, with both professional and collegiate divisions. The terms 'timbersports' and 'timber sports' are trademarked by Stihl Inc.
Contents
History
Stihl Timbersports began in 1985, and the earliest broadcasts were made from a field in Wisconsin, USA, 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 Series celebrated its 30th anniversary in the spring of 2015.
World Records
American Records
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:
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, The Outdoor Channel and more. It is recognized as the longest running show on ESPN other than SportsCenter. Tommy Sanders has served as on-air host of The Series since 1992.
Events
The Series currently involves six disciplines.
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 - Mike Sullivan
1986 - Mel Lentz
1987 - Rolin Eslinger
1988 - Mel Lentz
1989 - Rolin Eslinger
1990 - Mel Lentz
1991 - Mel Lentz
1992 - Mel Lentz
1993 - Rolin Eslinger
1994 - Matt Bush
1995 - Mel Lentz
1996 - Harry Burnsworth
1997 - Jason Wynyard
1998 - Jason Wynyard
1999 - Jason Wynyard
2000 - Jason Wynyard
2001 - David Bolstad
2002 - Jason Wynyard
2003 - David Bolstad
2004 - David Bolstad
2005 - Matt Bush
2006 - Jason Wynyard
2007 - David Bolstad
2008 - David Bolstad
2009 - Jason Wynyard
2010 - Jason Wynyard
2011 - Jason Wynyard
2012 - Jason Wynyard
2013 - Brad De Losa
2014 - Jason Wynyard
2015 - Jason Wynyard
2016 - Jason Wynyard
World Relay Champions
2010 - New Zealand
2011 - Australia
2012 - New Zealand
2013 - New Zealand
2014 - Australia
2015 - Australia
European Champion
2002 - Thomas Gerber
2003 - Martin Komarek
2004 - Martin Komarek
2005 - Martin Komarek
2006 - Martin Komarek
2007 - Dirk Braun
2008 - Dirk Braun
European Champion Crew
2004 - United Kingdom
2005 - France
2006 - Switzerland
2007 - Switzerland
2008 - Czech Republic