Lumberjack World Championships - Hayward, Wisconsin

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POLE CLIMBERS

Brian Bartow
Bartow, holder of the world record in the 90 ft speed climb with a time of:19.87, hails from Grants Pass, Oregon. Brian is a fierce competitor, having held the 90-foot Speed Climb title in 1999,2000,2004-2008. Once again, Brian took home a first place finish last year with a time of :20.55. Brian also holds the world record on the 60 foot Speed Climb with a time of: 12.33, which he set in 2005. Taught to climb by his father, Brian won the 60 ft. climb at last year's championships with a time of: 12.65. Bartow states that he was "born into this sport" as his father was also a multi-year world champion.

Guy German
German, 55, is a construction contractor from Columbus, Nebraska whose interest in timber sports began when he was vacationing in Sitka, Alaska and saw a local timber sports competition. Captivated by the danger and ruggedness of speed climbing, he then and there decided that this was something he would like to do. A Three-Time World Champion in the 90 ft. pole climb (1988, 1990, 2002) he took 3rd place last year in the 90 ft. pole climb and had a 4th place finish in the 60 ft. speed climb. Guy is known in climbing circles as the man who revolutionized the toe gaff. With his modifications, times of speed climbers were able to be dramatically increased over those of the past.

Derek Knutson
Knutson, 23, is a Hayward native who started his climbing career during the summer months when he worked for a local lumberjack show. Though relatively new to the pro ranks, Knutson proved he could more than hold his own against such seasoned veterans as Bartow and German when he placed 2nd in both the 60 and the 90 ft. Speed Climbs in both 2008 and 2009. Once asked to describe climbing in three words, his reply was "Escape from reality".

Shane Sabin
Sabin,20,a Hayward native and another relative newcomer to the ranks of pro climbing, took home a 3rd place finish in the 60 ft. Speed Climb last year. During the summer months Sabin works as a professional lumberjack entertainer.