Sweden claim Nordic Champion-titles in all competition levels in TIMBERSPORTS® – silver to Denmark and Norway
From August 11 to 13, the Nordic Championships in TIMBERSPORTS® were held in Elverum, Norway. The weekend offered intense competition days with dramatic battles. In the end, after several records were broken, Sweden came out as the victor in all competition levels. Emil Hansson, Edvin Karlsson, Tove Njåstad, and Viktor Clarmo all proudly received the gold medals. Bart Gevers from Norway secured second place after Viktor Clarmo in the Intermediate level, while Denmark's Esben Pedersen and Felixia Banck secured silver in the Rookie and Women's levels.
On Friday, August 11, the intense competition season within TIMBERSPORTS® reached its pinnacle as the best Pro and Rookie athletes of the Nordic region competed for the title of Nordic Champion in their respective levels. Following the thrilling finals last year, intense battles were anticipated among the Pro athletes. Reigning champion Emil Hansson and Ferry Svan were expected to take center stage in the battle for the title, and just like last year, they treated the audience to an unforgettable competition.
Ahead of the final heat, How Saw, an eager audience awaited. Emil Hansson performed the discipline at a slower pace than his opponent Ferry Svan – a strategy that proved to be a winning concept. Ferry, slightly faster than Hansson, was disqualified in the event after careful examination by the judge for sawing over the designated line. Thus, 22-year-old Emil Hansson managed to defend his title and secure a spot in the Individual World Championship on November 4 in Stuttgart, Germany. Fellow countryman Svan secured a third-place. Second place was claimed by Pontus Skye, 31, after several impressive performances and a personal record in Springboard at 1,14.38 seconds.
- It's a great honor for me to represent Sweden at a World Championship again. Last year was very special and enjoyable since it was my first time, and at the same time it was a championship in my home country. I feel a bit less pressure heading into the World Championship in Germany and will just focus on preparing properly, says Emil Hansson.
Tough competition among the Rookie athletes
In the Rookie level, Sweden secured another gold medal. Swedish athlete Edvin Karlsson faced a fierce battle against Danish competitor Esben Pedersen and last year's champion Adam Bjöns. Nevertheless, it was ultimately Karlsson who stood at the top of the podium after his final Nordic Championship in the Rookie class. Next year, both Karlsson and Pedersen will move up to the Pro class.
- It was tough not to make it all the way last year, so it's really satisfying to stand here as the champion this year. Today, I was particularly pleased with my Single Buck, and I feel that I've maintained a high level in that discipline for a while now. I can only hope that it continues this way in the future, says Edvin Karlsson.
Another Swedish gold medal to Tove Njåstad
On Sunday, it was time for the women’s representation of TIMBERSPORTS®. The final day of the Nordic Championships brought a close competition among the female athletes. In the end, there was another Swedish victory for Tove Njåstad, 28, and she can now hold the title of Nordic champion for 2023.
The three-time winner of this season's Nordic Cup, Felixia Banck, 36, received a silver medal in this year's championship. As the best Nordic athlete in the international rankings, she now has a good chance of reaching the International Women's Cup in 2024. In addition to a Danish silver, Banck impressed with a Danish record of 48,01 seconds in the Underhand Chop. Opponent and winner Njåstad set a Nordic record in the same discipline, with an impressive time of 45,98 seconds.
- It feels absolutely crazy! Of course, I am very pleased. Everything was right today, says Tove Njåstad and continues:
- I decided to do discipline by discipline and felt that it went well. I have been training a lot and it has paid off.
Intense end to the Nordic Championships 2023
Sunday ended with a gold medal for the Swedish Intermediate athlete Viktor Clarmo. The win marks his final TIMBERSPORTS® competition. The silver medal was awarded to Norwegian Bart Gevers, who impressed the crowd with his Norwegian record in the Underhand Chop (44,42 seconds).
Watch the live broadcasts from the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Nordic Championships 2023 here.
See all of the weekend's full results here.
