
Having a hometown advantage turned out to be a disadvantage for Lithgow's Brad De Losa on Sunday, November 15.
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The champion timber sports product competed in the very first virtual Stihl Timbersports Australian Championships from what he thought would be in the comfort of his own venue.
But Lithgow turned on the cold weather causing it to be wet and slippery.
"I had a pretty bad day, I finished 10th all up so that was disappointing," De Losa said.
He said it was the worst finish he's had in timber sports for awhile but put it down to the weather and inconsistencies having a virtual competition.
"It rained all day so that was a contributing factor.
"Everything was wet and slippery which made the deck slippery that we were competing on so that was probably a disadvantage for us guys in NSW," he said.
"There was also a couple of variables with chainsaws in the rain and things like that."
Victoria dominated on the day with 156 points edging out team Queensland on 124 points, Tasmania with 98 and New South Wales on 84 paints.
De Losa said having a virtual competition led to disadvantages with weather and altitude between states.
"Tasmania had theirs [competition] indoors and the other two states had really nice days
"It worked out well for them but it was disappointing for us, just unfortunate that it rained," he said.
"I guess it highlights how having a virtual competition can have a few inconsistencies rather than having it all on the one day and in the one location which gives us competitors an even playing field."
Despite his unfortunate results De Losa said he was still thankful to have had a competition.

"I'm still thankful that we got to have a competition despite everything going on in the world," he said.
As the year comes to an end De Losa said he planned to continue training over Summer in time for a hopeful March competition.
"Hopefully the Australian Trophy will be our next competition all going well and depending on COVID-restrictions and border openings," he said.
"I had a big break over COVID-lockdown... but I'm looking forward to getting back into training over Summer and probably have a two week break over Christmas and then be pretty full on until March," De Losa said.