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2009 ITCC Results
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
For More Information:
Sonia Garth
Public Relations Manager
International Society of Arboriculture
217-355-9411, EXT. 217
US and Switzerland Claim World Champion Tree Climber Titles
CHAMPAIGN, IL (August, 2009) - Professional tree climbers from 14 countries competed at the International Tree Climbing Championship (ITCC) held Friday and Saturday (July 24 and 25) at Roger Williams Park in Providence, RI. Competing for the title of World Champion Tree Climber, 51 competitors came together from as far away as Japan, New Zealand, Australia, and countries throughout Europe for the two-day event.
Jared Abrojena of Oakley, CA won the title of 2009 ITCC Men's World Champion. This was Abrojena's fifth year competing at the international competition. Abrojena has been climbing for 20 years and competing for 12. He is an ISA Certified Arborist and works as an arborist with his family's business Evergreen Tree Care.
With Jared's win the title of Men's World Champion is held by someone from the United States for the first time since 2005. The women's world champion title remains outside the US, with the 2009 champion, Anja Erni from Switzerland.
Erni has been climbing for 7 ½ years and this is her second time competing at the international competition. She is also an ISA Certified Arborist, who works with her own tree company, Astwerk. Erni was eligible to compete in the international competition as the winner of the European Tree Climbing Championships.
The event was held by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and hosted by its New England Chapter, which includes members from within the states of Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Chapters around the world hold local competitions earning the opportunity to send their chapter champions to compete at the international event. The ITCC is held annually in conjunction with the ISA's annual conference. This was the 33rd international competition.
The tree climbing competitions are designed to simulate working conditions of arborists who work in the field. The event utilizes the highest level of professional skills and safety while providing a competitive learning environment. "The ITCC provides a great opportunity for arborists from around the world to learn about new techniques and equipment from one another," says Jim Skiera, Executive Director of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the organization that coordinates the competition. "Competitive tree climbing also introduces the public to the skills professional tree climbing arborists must use for safe, professional tree work."
On Friday, male and female climbers competed in five separate preliminary qualifying events- Secured Footlock, Belayed Speed Climb, Throwline, Work Climb, and Aerial Rescue. In each event the top three scorers are awarded medals and cash prizes. The top overall scorers (four men and three women) then moved on the Masters' Challenge Championship held on Saturday.
The male and female world champions were announced at the Opening Ceremony of the ISA's 85th Annual Conference on Sunday evening. Champions received cash prizes, chainsaws, champion belt buckles and plaques, as well as other prizes. They also earned the privilege of returning in 2010 to defend their title at the international championship to be held in Chicago, IL (US) on July 23 and 24.
The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), headquartered in Champaign, Ill., is a nonprofit organization supporting tree care research and education around the world. To promote the importance of arboriculture, ISA manages the consumer education web site, www.treesaregood.org. Also, as part of ISA's dedication to the care and preservation of shade and ornamental trees, it offers the only internationally-recognized certification program in the industry. For more information on ISA, Certified Arborists, and the International Tree Climbing Championship, visit www.isa-arbor.com.
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