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21st ANNUAL TREE CLIMBING CHAMPIONSHIP
Gage Park, Hamilton, September 12, 2009
Two New Champions Crowned in Hamilton!
After a heated competition with a number of surprises, two new first time champions were crowned at the 21st Annual Ontario Tree Climbing Championship (OTCC) on September 12, 2009 at Gage Park in Hamilton. Perfect weather, an excellent host, dedicated sponsors, and the incredible effort of dozens of volunteers led to one of our finest competitions yet. It was, however, the high level of performance from Ontario’s top tree climbers that led to the most memorable parts of the day.
Reigning champ Patricia Leier vied against four competitors for the women’s title. Despite a strong showing by all of the women, newcomer Krista Strating stood at the top of the rankings going into the Master’s Challenge followed closely by Leier. Both competitors struggled to get their ropes installed through the heavy canopy of the Master’s Challenge Norway maple, but Strating earned the highest marks in the event and took her first Women’s title. Strating will represent the Ontario Chapter at the 2010 International Tree Climbing Championship in Chicago, Illinois.
A full roster of 25 men, including a number of new faces, set their sights on reigning men’s champion John Ransom. The men’s preliminary events treated spectators to some excellent performances, including Sean Hoondert’s stunning footlock time of only 16.087 seconds. By the end of the day, Ransom was joined in the Master’s Challenge by 2008 finalists Hoondert and Ben Sauve along with Master’s newcomer Brian Zylstra. While seven-time champion Ransom wowed the crowd with his highly technical ascent into the tree, a deduction at the limb walk station hurt his score and left the door open for Sauve to secure his first Ontario Tree Climbing Championship. Ransom took second place in the event final, with Zylstra and Hoondert taking third and fourth place respectively. Sauve’s conservative but impressive Master’s performance has earned him a trip to Chicago in 2010 to compete against the world’s best climbers.
The Spirit of the Competition Award, presented to the competitor who displays the strongest sense of camaraderie and professionalism, was awarded to veteran competitor Mark Cooke. Cooke impressed the event judges with his outgoing attitude and friendly demeanour. Cooke received a prize package donated by Arboriculture Canada Training and Education Ltd. Complete results for the preliminary events and the Master’s Challenge are provided at the link above.
During his closing remarks, OTCC Chair Paul Kobold recognized event sponsor Hydro-One and their incredible contribution of funds, staff and resources to the competition. As well, Kobold gave high praise to the City of Hamilton as event host. Hamilton staff went above and beyond all expectations in their contributions to the event, going as far as providing beautiful handmade benches for the two champions. The long list of volunteers and organizations making sponsorships, donations, or supplying equipment and resources to the event shows the value that the urban forestry community places on our climbers and the important role that they play in our industry.
The OTCC organizing committee will decide on a venue for the 2010 OTCC at their wrap-up meeting in October. Individuals who are interested in serving on the OTCC organizing committee are welcome to make a submission of interest to the ISAO office.
The OTCC organizing committee hopes you will join them in congratulating Ben and Krista on their victories at the 21st Annual Ontario Tree Climbing Championship.
20th ANNUAL TREE CLIMBING CHAMPIONSHIP
Harrison Park, Owen Sound, September 13, 2008
2008 Scoreboard...
2008 Photo Gallery...
2007 Photo Gallery...
Congratulations 2008 Champions Patricia Leier & John Ransom
After a two-year hiatus, John Ransom, of St. Catharines, will once again compete for the International Tree Climbing Championship after capturing an unprecedented seventh men’s title on September 13. Reigning women’s champion Patricia Leier, of Markham, secured her second consecutive women’s title. Hydro One Forestry Services generously sponsored the 20th Annual Ontario Tree Climbing Championship (OTCC), which was hosted by the City of Owen Sound in beautiful Harrison Park.
“The old boy still has it,” John Ransom joked with the delighted crowd as he accepted the title from OTCC Chair Paul Kobold. John won his first men’s title in 1998 and has been a dominant competitor for over a decade, both on the provincial and international stage. John faced stiff competition in the Master’s Challenge from runner up Mark Cooke, Scarborough, and from third place finisher Sean Hoondert, Guelph, with less than five points separating the three competitors. First time competitor Benjamin Sauvé (Huntsville) finished fourth.
With rain threatening throughout the day, Patricia Leier provided a textbook Master’s Challenge performance to win the women’s title and earn a chance to return to the International Tree Climbing Championship, which will be held in Providence, Rhode Island in 2009. Newcomer Lisa Moore, Inverary, finished in second place.
Allison Boles (Ancaster) was awarded the ‘Spirit of the Competition’ award, which recognizes the competitor who most embodies the spirit of camaraderie and professionalism that is so valuable to our industry. Allison received a generous prize package donated by Arboriculture Canada Training and Education Ltd.
John Howard, Manager of Parks and Open Spaces, his staff, and the City of Owen Sound, provided endless support and assistance to help create a flawless event. Competitors and volunteers mingled with campers in Harrison Park, while a steady stream of local visitors looked on with awe as Ontario’s top tree workers displayed their skills. Event judges and volunteers worked together to keep the event moving ahead of the impending rain. A trade show was also held to display arborist tools and equipment.
A number of sponsors, including show sponsor Hydro One, make it possible to provide the funds necessary to send our champions to compete at the International Tree Climbing Championship. See below for a list of all sponsors.
The 20th Annual OTCC Committee would like to thank all of the volunteers, judges, sponsors, and competitors for making this year’s competition one of the most successful in the history of the event. Next year’s OTCC will be held at Gage Park in Hamilton, the date to be confirmed.
— 20th Annual OTCC Committee, Paul Kobold, OTCC Chairperson, Dalton Sproule, Rory Quigley, Mike Watson, Coleman Boomhour, Mike Raaymaker, Gaetan Taillon, Andrew Frederikse, John Howard, Mark Graves and Mike Bradley
2008 OTCC Results
Women’s Category (in descending order from 1st to 3rd place)
• Footlock: Lisa Moore, Megan MacCallum, Patricia Leier
• Belayed Speed Climb: Megan MacCallum, Patricia Leier, Lisa Moore
• Aerial Rescue: Allison Boles, Patricia Leier, Lisa Moore
• Throwline: Megan MacCallum, Lisa Moore, Carla Olivira
• Work Climb: Megan MacCallum, Patricia Leier, Lisa Moore
Women's Master’s Climb (1st to 2nd): Patricia Leier, Lisa Moore
Men’s Category (in descending order from 1st to 3rd place)
• Footlock: Sean Hoondert, Sheldon Mirco, Benjamin Sauve
• Belayed Speed Climb: Sean Hoondert, Bryan Zylstra, Mark Cooke
• Aerial Rescue: John Ransom, Bryan Zylstra, Mark Cooke
• Throwline: Brock Karn, Adam White, Andrew Hordyk
• Work Climb: Sean Hoonder, Mark Cooke, Benjamin Sauve
Men's Master’s Challenge (1st to 4th): John Ransom, Mark Cooke, Sean Hoondert, Benjamin Sauve
Spirit of the Competition Award
Allison Boles
OTCC Sponsors: Many Thanks!
Show Sponsor
Hydro One
Masters Challenge
Vermeer Canada Inc.
Work Climb
Stihl Ltd.
Belayed Speed Climb
Commercial Solutions Inc.
Secured Footlock
Allan Fyfe Equipment Ltd.
Throwline
Altec Industries Ltd.
Aerial Rescue
Hydro One
Climbers’ Lunch
Altec Industries Ltd.
Volunteers’ Lunch
Petzl
Morning Coffee
Eloquip Ltd.
Climbers’ Dress Shirts
Bartlett Tree Experts
Guardian Tree Systems Ltd.
Hydro One
Climbers’ Safety Inspection
Shepherds Forestry Equipment
Scoreboard
Brandt Tractor
Spirit of the Competition Award
Arboriculture Canada Training & Education
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