Stihl Inc., creator and owner of the premier lumberjack sports event, the Stihl Timbersports Series presented by Carhartt, announced March 1 that it has selected the Oregon State Fair in Salem, Ore., as the host venue for its 25th anniversary season of the Stihl Timbersports Series.

Details announced for 25th anniversary Stihl Timbersports Series

Stihl Inc., creator and owner of the premier lumberjack sports event, the Stihl Timbersports Series presented by Carhartt, announced March 1 that it has selected the Oregon State Fair in Salem, Ore., as the host venue for its 25th anniversary season of the Stihl Timbersports Series. The Series’ quarterfinals, semifinals, U.S. Championship and Collegiate Championship will take place during the fair’s opening weekend Friday, Aug. 27-Sunday, Aug. 29.


The Pacific Northwest will be the backdrop for the premier lumberjack sporting event in the world. The Series features the world’s best lumberjacks and jills in the ultimate tests of strength, endurance, stamina, tool skill and agility. Thirty-two chopper/sawyers, six collegiate competitors, eight boom runners and eight speed climbers will converge on Oregon’s capital to chop, saw, climb, and run their way in to the record books, and celebrate the Stihl Timbersports Series tradition during its silver anniversary festivities.


ESPN cameras have followed the competition for 25 years, earning the Stihl Timbersports Series the distinction of being the one of the longest-running programs on the network.


“We are excited about bringing the Series to the Northwest and to have the Oregon State Fair host The Stihl Timbersports Series’ 25th anniversary competition,” said Roger Phelps, promotional communications manager for Stihl Inc. “We look forward to bringing to Oregon the excitement and traditions of one of the most exciting sports championships on the air today.”


The 2010 Oregon State Fair claims the motto “Too BIG to Miss!” offering attendees more than 9,000 things to do, see, and taste throughout 11 days of shows, hot air balloon rides, carnival rides, six headlining concerts, arts and crafts, NPRA rodeo finals, Days of the Dinosaurs exhibit, various events and competitions. The Oregon State Fair opens its gates on Friday, Aug. 27, and culminates on Monday, Sept. 6.


“We can think of no better place to celebrate and highlight the Stihl Timbersports Series and the timber industry than in Oregon,” said Oregon State Fair Manager Connie Bradley.


Since its inception in 1985, the Stihl Timbersports Series has challenged the world’s best competitors in lumberjack sports. Over the years, the Series has gained popularity and expanded to 19 countries, including athletes from USA, New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, Spain, the Czech Republic, Poland, France, Benelux and Germany, all looking to earn a place in the World Championships. New Zealander Jason Wynyard holds the title of 2009 Stihl Timbersports World Champion. Arden Coger Jr. from West Virginia holds the 2009 U.S. Stihl Timbersports Series Champion title.


The Stihl Timbersports Professional Series quarterfinals, semifinals and U.S. Championship will span the three-day event, challenging lumberjacks in six chopping and sawing disciplines: hot saw, single buck, springboard chop, standing block chop, stock saw and underhand chop with the top overall competitor being crowned the 2010 Stihl Timbersports Series champion and the top U.S. competitor named the 2010 U.S. champion. Both title holders will advance to the 2010 Stihl Timbersports Series World Championships presented by Carhartt in Austria Friday, Sept. 3-Sunday, Sept. 5.


The 2010 Stihl Timbersports Collegiate Series will also culminate during the Oregon State Fair. This national competition pits six regional collegiate champions against each other in four professional disciplines: single buck, standing block chop, stock saw and underhand chop with the top contender earning the title of 2010 Stihl Timbersports Collegiate Series champion and an automatic ticket to the 2011 Stihl Timbersports Series to compete among the professional ranks.


The Stihl Timbersports Series boom run and speed climb specialty disciplines will also take place throughout the three-day event. Eight boom runners and speed climbers will compete in a bracket elimination format to determine the U.S. champion in each discipline.


For more details, visit www.ESPNOutdoors.com/timbersports and www.oregonstatefair.org.