Following a tough round of selection and training, twelve of Britain's top lumberjack sportsmen will compete for Championship honours at the CLA Game Fair this weekend.

The winner will be crowned STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® British Champion 2014 and will go on to represent their country on the World stage.


Long-standing GB Champion of the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Series, Spike Milton attacks the Standing Block Chop at the 2012 World Championship

The Championship is part of an action-packed three days of STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® at the annual CLA Game Fair, with demonstrations by the GB Team today (Friday), the 2014 British Championship on Saturday and the first ever GB Rookie Cup on Sunday, where nine relative newcomers will compete for the first time on the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® stage.

Considered the major league of lumberjack sports worldwide, the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Series started more than 25 years ago, and Britain has been represented at numerous international events. Now visitors to the CLA Game Fair can see the action on home soil, with the British Championship attracting top lumberjack athletes to compete on the stage.

Six exciting disciplines set to enthral spectators
Six exciting disciplines make up STIHL TIMBERSPORTS®: the Underhand Chop, Standing Block Chop, STIHL Stock Saw, Single Buck, Springboard and the always-appealing (and noisy!) Hot Saw. Technically as well as physically demanding,each event tests athletes' handling of an axe or chainsaw and their skill with wood. 

Each discipline replicates a scenario typically faced by a lumberjack, indeed the origins of the sport stretch back many years when lumberjacks competed against one another to determine the best in their profession. Today's athletes come from a diversity of backgrounds and professions and include builders, arborists, a CCTV engineer and a Project Manager with BT Openreach. Two contenders in the GB Rookie Cup are from Oxfordshire, so expect some strong local support!

Assuring there will be a new British Champion this year, long-standing and reigning British Champion, Spike Milton has stepped aside to focus on developing and encouraging more athletes to TIMBERSPORTS®and on his new role as Global Sporting Director.

He may not be competing for this year's Championship honours, but will be taking to the stage at the CLA Game Fair, giving demonstrations as part of the GB Team today, and commentating throughout the competitions on Saturday and Sunday.