For the second consecutive year, Brian Bartow took home the Logger of the Day award at the Loggers Sports World Class Open show on Sunday (Aug. 5).
The resident of Molalla, Ore., picked up wins in the chokerman's race, tree topping and the climb, along with a second in birling and a third place showing in the standing butcher block.
“I'm really quite surprised to win this,” he said. “I've had a really good year but I didn't think I'd win today because of the birling.”
Bartow lost 2-1 in the finals to Wade Stewart of Nanoose Bay in a back and forth contest.
“Me and Wade went back and forth on that one,” he said. “He's a good roller and it was really good to beat him last year but he got me this time.”
He said he was pleased with his performance in the chokerman's race, beating out second place finisher Xander Waibel by over a second. Bartow also impressed in the tree topping, defeating Stirling Hart by over 15 seconds. He said he always enjoys coming to Squamish.
“Just the whole feel and atmosphere here is great,” he said. “The grounds here are always in perfect condition and everyone's really friendly.”
Sunday started off with an emotional tribute to long time Loggers Sports volunteers Bill Fairhurst and Dennis Leski, both of whom passed away earlier this year. Local loggers carved out the words to spell “friend” and then gave the “d” to the Leski family and the “f” to the Fairhurst family to keep. Loggers Sports officials also announced the creation of the Bill Fairhurst volunteer of the year award, which was given to Bob and Nancy Walsh.
In another ceremony, former mayor and councillor Corrine Lonsdale was given the “key” to Squamish Days for her years of volunteering at the event and her contributions to the community of Squamish.
Other winners on Sunday included: Branden Sirguy (underhand chop and single bucking), Brad Laughlin (axe throw), Kevin Steward (speed bucking), Anita Jezowski (single buck), Sarah Mooney and Jezowski (jill and jill bucking), Mitch Hewitt (spring board chop), Rob Waibel (obstacle pole bucking), Walt Paige and Sirguy (double hand bucking), Brock Colliver and Hewitt (standing butcher block chop) and Jeff Skirvin (powersaw tree falling).
For complete results from Saturday and Sunday, see the print edition of this week's Chief or visit www.squamishdays.ca.
