A lumberjack from Gwynedd in Wales, Elgan Pugh, has been named the British Champion and four British records have been smashed at this year's 2015 STIHL TIMBERSPORTS British Championship.



CLA Game Fair show-goers were treated to the unique high-octane thrills of top lumberjack sport on Saturday 1 August with 15 athletes competing in the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS British Championship at Harewood House, Yorkshire.

Robert Chatley from Worcestershire came in second and Glen Penlington from Powys, Wales took third place at the weekend's competition. Robert also broke the British record for the Single Buck with a time of 15.53 while Bedfordshire local Chris Pratt broke the record for the Stock Saw with a time of 10.98.

On Sunday 2 August it was the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS British Rookie Championship where rookie lumberjack Darryn Reilly from Oxfordshire took the crown. Adam Martindale from Lancashire smashed the GB record made by Chris Pratt the day prior with a time of 10.94 on the Stock Saw, which was then broken again by Shropshire local Alex Laurie.

Considered the major league of lumberjack sports worldwide, STIHL TIMBERSPORTS started 30 years ago in the USA and arrived in Britain in 2012 with the country's first British Championship.
Lumberjack sports origins go back to 19th century Australia where foresters would compete with each other outside work, putting their forestry skills to the test.

Spike Milton, former STIHL TIMBERSPORTS British Champion says Elgan trained and performed brilliantly.

"Elgan won both the Springboard and the Standing Block Chop. He has worked incredibly hard in the lead up to this weekend's competition and deserves this accolade. I look forward to travelling with him to Poznan, Poland in November for the 2015 STIHL TIMBERSPORTS World Championship with the rest of the British team."Spike is now STIHL's Global Sporting Director and British and International STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Trainer.

STIHL TIMBERSPORTS comprises six disciplines: the Underhand Chop, Standing Block Chop, Stock Saw, Single Buck, Springboard and the always-appealing Hot Saw. Each gruelling event tests athletes' handling of an axe or chainsaw and their skill with wood.

Over the three days, visitors to the CLA Game Fair have enjoyed rip-roaring STIHLTIMBERSPORTS shows, wood carving demonstrations, a rugby tackle game for the kids and STIHL and VIKING product displays at the STIHL arena.