Canada's top STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Athletes to Compete in 2017 Canadian Championship

STIHL TIMBERSPORTS (CNW Group/STIHL TIMBERSPORTS)

The "Original Extreme Sport" Joins London Rib Fest August 3-6

LONDON, ON, July 27, 2017 /CNW/ - The STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® Series has partnered with London Ribfest to hold its 2017 Canadian Championship event, where more than 30 of Canada's top professional TIMBERSPORTS athletes will chop and saw their way toward the title of Canadian Champion. Two-time Canadian Champion Stirling Hart will be defending his title once again this year.

London, Ontario, more commonly known as "The Forest City", will host athletes from the Men's and Women's Pro and Rookie Divisions at the 32^nd annual London Rib Fest held in Victoria Park. The Canadian Championship will feature STIHL TIMBERSPORTS athletes using sharp axes and powerful chainsaws to compete in "disciplines," which involve cutting wood in timed trials.

"Our athletes have an outstanding level of fitness, precise technical skills with axes and saws, and an unparalleled degree of focus and determination that allows them to withstand the pressures of competing," says Gerry Rozo, Executive Producer of STIHL TIMBERSPORTS in Canada. "And we are happy to be back at Rib Fest to showcase this talent and athleticism for fans and spectators."

Schedule of Events:

Friday August 4 – Men's Pro Qualifier 1 – Group Red
Competition time: 5:00 - 8:30 pm

Saturday August 5 – Women's Pro Canadian Championship
Competition time: 2:00 – 3:30 pm

Saturday August 5 - Men's Pro Qualifier 2 - Group Black
Competition time: 5:00 - 8:30 pm

Sunday August 6 - Rookie Canadian Championship
Competition time: 2:00 - 4:00 pm 

Sunday August 6 - STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Canadian Championship
Competition time: 5:00 - 9:00 pm 

The Canadian Championship also serves as a qualifier for the World Championship. The Canadian Team, which will include the Canadian Champion, will be selected to represent the country during the World Championship in Lillehammer, Norway this November and 3^rd and 4^th.

About the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series:

The STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series is established worldwide as the major league of logger sports, with a massive global fan-base following competitive events – live and on TV. The sport originated in Canada, the USA and New Zealand, where loggers held local competitions to determine the best of their profession.  Over time, these tests of strength and skill have evolved to a professional level. In 1985, the first STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series Championships was held in the USA.

In Canada, STIHL TIMBERSPORTS has consistently grown from a niche sport to a National Tour with competitions across the country.

www.timbersports.ca

SOURCE STIHL TIMBERSPORTS

Kelly Elliott, STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Communications/Staff Coordinator, STIHL Limited, D [phone] ext. 2820, M [phone], [email protected]; Maria Antonopoulos, Porter Novelli - STIHL TIMBERSPORTS PR Agency, D [phone], M [phone], [email protected]; Michelle Lee, Porter Novelli - STIHL TIMBERSPORTS PR Agency, D [phone], [email protected]