MEDIA RELEASE
Friday 6 November 2009
For immediate release
World’s best axemen compete at show
World Champion New Zealand Axeman Jason Wynyard will be competing in the woodchopping section at this year’s Royal New
Zealand Show in Christchurch.
Wynyard, 36, is an eight times Stihl Timbersports Champion, taking his most recent title at the Stihl Timbersports World
Championships in Switzerland in September this year.
Wynyard battled against 19 of the best lumberjacks in the world in 48 deg C to take the title.
A right-hander who chops as a leftie, Wynyard is a regular at the Royal New Zealand Show in Christchurch, narrowly
missing out on the top title at last year’s event to rival David Bolstad.
Fellow World Champion Axemen David Bolstad won his second straight Stihl Timbersports World Championship in 2008.
This year’s Bill Curtain World Championship Underhand, 1pm on Friday 13 November, will be an event not to be missed as
Wynyard and Bolstad once again compete for the title. Underhand is where the log is horizontal and the axemen stands on
it, swinging a razor sharp axe between his or her feet.
The Woodchopping at this year’s Royal New Zealand Show will be a high energy endurance event that showcases strength and
precision in a fierce and entertaining non stop competition over the three days. It’s a unique combination of when rural
life meets sport in this highly competitive event that has many full time competitors.
Over 130 entries are expected throughout the competition, competing for over $20,000 prize money in heats and finals of
various classes including underhand, standing, tree plus the popular Jack and Jill class.
Old rivals – New Zealand and Australia – always put on a show when they come face to face. The Stihl Teams Race New
South Wales vs South Island is held over all three days of the Show.
The Royal New Zealand Show runs from 11-13 November at Canterbury Agricultural Park Christchurch. Attracting 120,000
people, over 7000 livestock and feature competition entries and close to 600 trade exhibitors, plus three full days of
entertainment, it is the premier agricultural and pastoral event in the country.
ENDS