Sharp competition at woodchop

Submitted

There were a few less axemen at the A&P Show this year, due to several of the usual competitors being away competing in a test series in Australia.

However, this didn’t seem to make winning any easier. Representing the Golden Bay Club were Brian and Toby Godsiff, Courtney Lines, Lou Nalder, Steve Winter, and Dave and Serena Gowland. It should be noted that this show was Big Steve’s last act as president of the club, as he now shifts his focus to the Grey Valley. We would like to express our thanks for his efforts over the last few years.

There were three women’s underhand races starting with 275mm, then 300mm, then 325mm. In the 275mm, Courtney finished second and Serena third. In the 300mm, Courtney finished second again and Serena fourth. In the 325mm, Serena finished third and Courtney fourth.

The Keith Baty Memorial Trophy is presented to the woman who accumulates the most points over the three races, and was won by Emma Riddell from Nelson who had two firsts and a fourth.

The results for the four open chops were quite disappointing for the Golden Bay Club, with no placings apart from Brian finishing third in the 350mm underhand. Brian then followed that up with a fourth in the 350mm underhand championship race.

The winner of the 350mm open underhand receives the Leon McKay Memorial Trophy, which this year went to Justin Carter from Nelson and was presented by Leon’s brother Dawson.

The Jumbo Jones Trophy is the oldest trophy still presented by the club, and goes to the axeman who accumulates the most points over the four open chops. This was won by Ray Biggs from Nelson, who had one first, two seconds and a fourth.

Golden Bay’s open class axemen redeemed themselves in the 475mm butcher’s block races, with Steve and Brian combining to finish second in the standing butcher’s block.