Lithgow’s Brad De Losa and his Australian Chopperoos teammates set the fastest time of the 2017 Timbersports World Championships but it wasn’t enough to claim victory on the weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Chopperoos finished in third place after a heart breaking moment in the semi-final cost the hot favourites the chance to defend their world title.
Australia looked to be on track to claim their fourth consecutive team world title after smashing Belgium and Austria in the heats to storm into the semi-final of the 23-team event at the 11,500 capacity Hakons Hall in Lillehammer, Norway.
The Aussies finished well ahead of Poland in the semi-final but an early start in the change between two disciplines – the underhand chop and single buck – saw the refs call for a video review.
In a devastating blow the Aussies were handed a 15-second penalty giving Poland the shock win.
Despite one of the great upsets in the sport’s rich history, Australia found motivation and put in the fastest time of any team in the tournament – a stunning 47.06 seconds - in the minor final against Canada to secure bronze.
Our Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand, boasting timbersports legend Jason Wynyard, won the final against Poland in a time of 51.76 seconds.
The Aussie team was proud of their effort but disappointed to miss the chance to defend their crown.
“That’s the way the cookie crumbles but next year is another year. We’ll come back with more determination and aggression to take first place,” Victorian Chopperoo Glen Gillam said.
The team event sees four athletes compete in four disciplines – Stock Saw, Underhand Chop, Single Buck and Standing Block Chop.