ISAAC ATCC 2002
ISAAC Australian Tree Climbing Championship, Flagstaff Gardens, Melbourne, 2002
The championships were a huge success again this year. Top climbers from around the country were there to compete for the honour to represent Australia in the International Tree Climbing Championships next year in Montreal. Judges and Officials from Tasmania, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria gave their time to assist in the mammoth task of running what is building to be the highlight of the Arboricultural calendar in Australia today.
Our Sponsors
Sponsors donations totalled $13,000 in prizes and support.
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Photos courtesy, Judy Knight of Arbortech Tree Services.
Flagstaff Gardens in Melbourne CBD, supplied competitors with some of the most challenging trees for competition yet encountered. The North Melbourne Institute of TAFE's Doug Sharp, Sean Hants, Graeme Hughes and NMIT students helped prune and set up the competition trees in the weeks leading up to competition date. Final preparations began early the Friday morning before the competition. All was going well; the rescue dummy was hauled into place on a long arching Elm branch. Sean Hants had the work climb under control. There were EWP, kit bags, sponsor tents being erected around the park, vehicles everywhere and who should turn up, the Rangers. Apparently no one told them we were going to be there on the Friday and they told us, we had to go. Thanks to the shaker shifter, the doer of things arboreal, the man who makes things happen, our past President, David Balsamo came to the rescue. With a phone call and some sweet talk or was it fast talk, everything was back on track.
At 3pm the officials and competitors began to role up. Names were checked off and gear inspected. The sponsors began selling equipment to those needing to replace gear not passing the scrutiny of Roger Greenwood, Kym Knight, and Phil Kenyon and I. By 5.30pm we began to discuss rules of the competition. John Canning of Canning & Son, sponsors of the Men's Masters Challenge, along with David Lawton of Arborspray, sponsors of the Women's Masters, were there to greet the competitors and congratulate last years champions Tom Greenwood & Kiah Martin who took out 9th and 2nd respectively, in the Internationals earlier this year in Seattle.
Stihl, Canning & Son and our friends at Arbor Spray have donated $4,000 toward the airfares to send this years Australian Men's and Women's Champions to the International Titles in Montreal next year 2003.
Saturday 14th
Competition was set to start at 8am Saturday morning climbers and Officials
arriving at 7am. Unfortunately there was some confusion over who was officiating
and at what event and who would demonstrate the Work Climb given the man
who set the climb Sean Hants, was unable to attend on the day (some people
still had to work) then Jack Sinclair obliged us. With this all sorted,
the show was on the road by 8.30am and off they went. We had five groups
of five competitors, twenty five red hot climbers in one place.
Round 1
Group 1 began the Chipstar Throw line Event found the winner for the
day in Scott Sharp of Tasmania who earned a perfect score of 20 points
in a blistering 2 min 47 sec with Steve Brown of Newcastle in only his
second National Titles threw a comfortable 13 points giving him second
for the group. Group 2 were the first through the ISAAC Work Climb with
Mathew Mann came second with a time of 4 min 59 sec and 67.25 points behind
Mark Williamson of Vic doing the climb in 4min 46sec which computed to
72.67points. Group 3 started first on the Arbortrim Aerial Rescue, Grant
Cody of Vic lead the way on 25.67 with Brett Hamlin of Qld right behind
on 24 .67. Group 4 were the first to attempt the Vermeer Belayed Speed
Climb where upper body strength was tested to the limit; Gerard Reynolds
led the way with a time of 31.66 sec with Richard Kenyon in hot pursuit
with 33.24 sec. Group 5 were first on the New Age Arbor Secured Footlock
Event, this event was made all the more spectacular when Phil Kenyon ran
two competitors at once. Adam Cozzitorto of SA spurred on by the direct
competition did the climb in 17.18 seconds with Australian Champion Tom
Greenwood behind him on 17.99 seconds.
Round 2
The Chipstar Throw line Event was no walk in the park; however Group 2's
Mark Williamson managed a perfect 20 points and placed himself second
overall with a time of 4min. Shane Selway placed second in the group on
9 points.
The former Australian Champion Brett Hamlin clearly led
the way with a time of 3 min 30 sec or 84.33 points and ultimately won
the event overall, with Brad Treloar of SA in second place of group 3
with a time of 3 min 37 sec and 76.17 points in the ISAAC Work Climb.
Gerard Reynolds in Group 4 scored 38 points placing him second overall
and leading Richard Kenyon's 36.67 in the Arbortrim Aerial Rescue. South
Australia received fastest time in the Vermeer Belayed Speed Climb in
Adam Cozzitorto on 32.68 sec and Australian Champion Tom Greenwood second
on 35.75 sec for Group 5. The Cozzitorto brothers do it again when this
time Jason earns fastest time in Group 1 on the New Age Arbor Footlock
with 19.85 sec and another well known brother Ben Kenyon scored a close
second on 21.93 sec.
Round 3
Group 3's Peter Reynolds led the group by throwing the third highest
score of the day of 16 in the Chipstar Throw line Event and Brad Treloar
threw a 10 to come in second in the group. Richard Kenyon managed second
place overall with a score of 83.25 points in the ISAAC Work Climb even
though his climb was 30 sec slower than Kevin Alexander's 3.min.31 sec
but fastest time for Group 4. Girl power shone threw the men when Kiah
Martin earned second place in the Arbortrim Aerial Rescue with 32.67 points
in group 5 behind Tom Greenwood on an even 36 points. The raging Tasmanian
Scott Sharp won out in group 1 on the Vermeer Belayed Speed Climb with
a time of 38.97 sec only to be tailed by Mathew McIntee from South Australia
on 39.53 sec.
By now Officials and Competitors were getting hungry Doug Sharp began distributing the much needed sustenance which included fresh salad roles, fruit and bottled water sponsored by NMIT. Coffee and Tea were also supplied to Officials and Competitors by Tree Tactics run by Willamena Kenyon, Melbourne University supplied the earn. Major Sponsors Arborspray, Canning & Son & Stihl and our preliminary event sponsors New Age Arbor, Vermeer, Arbortrim, Chipstar and ISAAC were receiving plenty of enquiries and sales from on lookers, supporters, Officials and Competitors. Wendy Jenson and Craig Hallam worked tirelessly and continually since the start, collating and entering the scores into the computer under the Marquis supplied by Burnley College. Their efforts were faultless and the results immediate, keeping all competitors up to date with the latest.
Arbor Age's Editor Kurt Quambusch discuses name confusion with Richard Mitchell of New Age Arbor while munching on a sausage sizzle free for all who cared to peruse the display of climber's toys. Vermeer took a moment to impress folks with the remote control Vermeer Stump Grinder by driving it around the control tent. Mike Featherstone exhibited the Chipstar 300 MX auto feed, lift and crush hydrostatic clutch tree chipper drawing attention from many prospective buyers. Canning & Son was kept busy supplying shoppers with more climbers toys and displaying there latest array of equipment including Pacific Helmets for those who have decided there heads are worth it.
ISA was kind enough to loan us Sharon Lily for the day as special advisor, she also filled in for Roger Greenwood on the Chipstar Throw line Event for a time. Her experience was an invaluable asset to the day. Doug Sharp of The North Melbourne Institute of TAFE supplied the EWP (piloted by Graeme Hughes) that lifted competitors into the start of the ISAAC Work Climb, twenty five times in a row without missing a beat or hurting a branch. City Wide donated a smaller EWP (piloted by Danny) to rescue stuck lines in the Chipstar Throw line event, thankfully he had a very quiet day.
Round 4
Kevin Alexander earned 3rd place overall with a perfect score of 20
in the Chipstar Throw line Event with second place in group 4 going to
Ryan Head on 19 points. Tom Greenwood secured 3rd place overall and first
in group 5 in the ISAAC Work Climb with a time of 3 min 31 sec and 82.92
points with second group placing going to Ben Hohnen for a time of 4 min
and 69 points. The man that most trees move out of the way of, Ben Kenyon
earned himself 1st place overall first in Group 1 in the Arbortrim Aerial
Rescue with 41 points and South Australia's own Jason Cozzitorto taking
2nd overall and group with a total point score of 36.67. Group 2 stepped
up to stretch the "lats" in the Vermeer Belayed Speed Climb
where Mathew Mann did the climb in 34.37 sec only just in front of Chris
Lawry on 39.2 sec. We all witnessed the fitness when Brett Hamlin blue
everyone out of the tree with an amazing 12.6 sec, an outright winning
time for the day on the New Age Arbor Footlock Event with second place
for group 3 going to Grant Cody on 18.93 sec.
Round 5
Cozzitorto brother Adam led group 5 in the finale Chipstar Throw line
Event with a perfect 20 points, 9 seconds short of third place overall,
Tom Greenwood threw an easy 19 points giving him second in the group.
Mathew McIntee completed the ISAAC Work Climb 22.5 seconds behind third
overall Tom Greenwood but led Group 1 with a time of 3 min 08 sec and
a point score of 79 with Ben Kenyon second on 4 min 18 sec. The Arbortrim
rescue dummy was brought down for the last time when Group 2 competed,
Mark Williamson placing 7th overall and first for the group with a point
score of 32.67 and Mathew Man again earning himself recognition by scoring
27 points and placing second in the group. The last attempt at the Vermeer
Belayed Speed Climb, Group 3 found the days overall winner in Brad Treloar
with the wining time of 29.47 sec leading fellow group member and overall
second place getter Grant Cody with an equally impressive time of 29.83
sec. Group 4 were the last to compete in the dueling New Age Footlock
and good thing to. Gerard Reynolds earned himself 2nd overall with a time
of 14.76 sec and 3rd overall going to Richard Kenyon with less than a
second between them on 15.40 sec.
Competition at any level, state or national, could not
happen with out sponsors. But even then the limiting factor would then
be people, people taking up the positions as "Volunteers" filling
duties like time keeping, officiating, and scoring, collating and entering
scores, runners and gofers and the all important tree technicians. I want
to recognize these individuals and thank them in this way as their efforts
are completely selfless and their ulterior motive is to support the industry
and that's you and me.
In no particular order: Kym Knight, Vince Cozzitorto, Peter Clarke, Trevor
Lawrence, Hugh Taylor, Jerry Romanski, Ashley Barkle, Jack Sinclair, Roger
Greenwood, Martin Norris, Phil Kenyon, Joe Kellett, Phil Smallman, Craig
Hinton, Chris Elliott, Graeme Hughes, Dave Galway, Julia Sullivan, Michael
Palamountain & Laura Williamson. Naturally David Balsamo, for his
efforts in arranging the venue and organizing radio and TV coverage.
Finally the news everyone had been waiting for;
1st Place Tom Greenwood 166.26.
2nd Gerard Renolds 155.75,
3rd Brett Hamlin 154.29, 4th Richard Kenyon 153.35.
The Stihl & Canning & Son Masters Challenge began. The competitors decided to attempted the Masters in order of their finishing positions starting with Tom Greenwood, Gerard Reynolds, Brett Hamlin then Richard Kenyon.
The Masters - Richard Kenyon, Gerard Reynolds, Tom Greenwood and Brett
Hamlin
It was clear from the start; Tom Greenwood had a style that rivaled the others. Tom gained the highest crotch in his first shot gaining the perfect score of 15. He obviously impressed the judges with his accent into the canopy, earning an average score of 8.6 of a maximum of 10 for his accent, there is no doubt the guy is smooth. In judging his safe attempt at the work stations including posture, rope control and control of movement the judges saw fit to credit Tom with an average of 145.6 from a perfect score of 180. Again Tom is smooth, his landing and control over gear removal earned him 16.4 points from a possible 20. The Judges average discretionary Bonus points to the man by adding 11.4 points to his total. Tom won the day with a final score of 210 points and naturally won The Masters Challenge.
Gerard Reynolds made the highest crotch but in his second shot, sadly when he started to pull his rope from the rope bag he found it was knitted, this was not his rope, Ged had picked up somebody else's rope and was now stuck with it.
Like a true professional he pushed on and overcame the set back and made his way up the tree scoring .2 smoother accent than Tom. The limb walk took the most out of Ged when he failed to keep the plumb bob off the ground loosing him a valuable 10 points and the resultant average for attempting the work stations was down to 131.8 points. It almost seemed that someone else's rope was there to jinx for when it came time for gear retrieval all hell broke loose and sadly Ged missed on an additional 8 points only averaging 9 for this score section. The problems during the climb cost time and this all showed at the end when Ged still had gear in the tree when time was called, this cost Ged a 20 point deduction. Overall Gerard finished with 152.4 points.
Australian Champion 1999 Brett Hamlin shot the best shot
in the first shot earning a perfect 15 points and then proceeded to enter
the tree equaling Ged on 8.8 though more fluid and efficient. Brett averaged
141.8 for his attempt at the work stations, consensus was that suitability
of tie in points and rope handling skills should cost him. Brett had some
trouble retrieving his gear which cost him valuable points for control
and safety resulting in an average score of 13.4. One judge did not allocate
any discretionary points but still Brett average 7.2. There were no deductions
scored and Brett average 188.2 overall making him second in the Masters
Challenge.
Our last competitor Richard Kenyon gets the highest crotch in his second
shot earning 13 points for the effort. Entry into tree and tie in, Richard
averaged 7.4 with the efficient use of energy and Tie in Point selection
being where points were lost. The average for Work stations was 124, Richard
was marked down over all areas of point allocation with the single most
point loss was failing to keep the plumb bob of the ground. Decent, landing
and gear retrieval averaged at 13.8 this meant Richard lead the field
in this category. Richard earned an average 6.8 discretionary points but
one judge leveled a -5 deductions. Richard averaged 164 points placing
him 3rd overall.
Stihl & Canning & Son gave Tom Greenwood $2000 for 1st place, 2nd place Brett Hamlin received an MS 190T Stihl Chainsaw, 3rd Richard Kenyon received a Stihl BG 65 Blower, 4th place Gerard Reynolds received 120foot Yale Mavrick climbing rope.
Sharon Lily, Women's Champion Kiah Martin, Cherrie Neale and Rodney Page
Due to the lack of Competition the Arborspray
Women's Masters was not challenged as Kiah Martin was clearly the winner
on 95.92 points placing her 17th overall against a field dominated by
males. Cherrie Neale must be congratulated for her efforts in competition
and was placed second to Kiah.
There are more females out there climbing on a daily basis, Kiah and Cherrie want to encourage those girls to step up and be counted. David Lawton of Arborspray donated $2000 to Kiah as winner of the Women's Master. Kiah will be using this money to attend the 2003 International Tree Climbing Championship and Conference in Montreal next year. Kiah also intends to take advantage of being on that side of the planet by traveling to England and other parts of Europe in her endeavor to increase her knowledge and experience in the field of Arboriculture, good luck Kiah and congratulations.
Presentations were made at the Royal Standard Hotel where NMIT sponsored the food and Tom Greenwood shouted the bar, on ya Tom. Sharon Lily presented to the winners prizes and trophies supplied by sponsors.
ISAAC Work Climb 1st prize Arbormasters Harness
2nd Carry all Tool Box
3rd Micro pulley, ball lock Karabiner, prussic loop and dog clip.
New Age Arbor Footlock Event
1st Husqvarna Forrest bag, Chainsaw trousers and braces
2nd Husqvarna helmet
3rd Handsaw & Scabbard
Another great year has come to a close; again Tom and Kiah are our Australian Champions for 2002. ISA Australia Chapter invites all Arborists from around Australia to compete locally and nationally or support your Industry by Officiating at a Tree Climbing Championship and attending the next annual conference in Adelaide in 2003. I also encourage everyone to support our sponsors as they supported us. The next time you require some equipment or training check out the sponsors first and let them know you want to support them.
See you all in South Australia in 2003.
Climb safe and remember what they say, the most important thing you need
to achieve in your days work is to go home that night in one piece.
Rodney M Page
ISAAC Chairman ATCC