News
World Trophy 2023: The favourites for the title
In the toughest format of the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Series, 16 of the world’s best logger sports athletes will be competing against each other at the World Trophy 2023. On Saturday, 10 June, at the Onderzeebootloods at the Port of Rotterdam the international TIMBERSPORTS® elite will provide a thrilling extreme sports experience. In addition to the favourites from the USA, Australia and New Zealand, there are also some European athletes who have a legitimate chance of winning a place on the podium.
Jack Jordan, New Zealand
The New Zealander has a clear goal in the Netherlands – defending his title. Until now, this has only been achieved by Australian Brad De Losa in 2014 and 2015. Jack Jordan is definitely in top form. In the national championship, he won in five out of six disciplines, impressively securing the championship title and a ticket to the World Trophy. Jordan was unstoppable at the run last year at Rathausplatz in Vienna, defeating record Trophy champion Brad De Losa in the semi-final and 2021 individual world champion Jason Lentz in the final. He would like to continue that run this year.
Jason Lentz, USA
In qualifying, Lentz defended his national Trophy title in a thrilling final against Matt Cogar in the US Trophy. After strong performances against top athletes from Europe and a personal Trophy format record, in 2022 Lentz could only be stopped in the final by Jack Jordan. This year, the American wants to stay on track for the title.
Laurence O'Toole, Australia
Having narrowly missed out in the final of the Champions Trophy 2019, Australian Laurence O’Toole is back on the big stage. The 42-year-old fought hard for his place with a victory in the Australian Trophy over the current individual world champion Brad De Losa. In Rotterdam, O'Toole wants to win the next trophy in his career and bring the Trophy World Championship title back to Australia.
Michal Dubicki, Poland
From a European perspective, there is no getting past Michal Dubicki in Trophy competitions. The man from Poland has been one of the best athletes in this format for years. Twice in a row, he took fourth place in the World Trophy and is, therefore, the best European. He also had victories at the European Trophy in 2019 and 2021. Last year, he was beaten in the semifinals by Jason Lentz of the United States. In the axe disciplines especially, Dubicki is a powerhouse, and this should take him back to the semi-finals this year and perhaps even further.
Emil Hansson and Ferry Svan, Sweden
Two young, yet experienced athletes, Emil Hansson and Ferry Svan from Sweden, are bringing a breath of fresh air to Rotterdam. At the age of 22, Hansson is the youngest athlete in the field, and he made a name for himself last year with his victory in the European Trophy. At just 26 years of age, his fellow Swede Ferry Svan is one of the most established athletes in Europe, despite being so young still. It was only at the last World Trophy that he was the first European to almost break the one-minute mark, bringing the eventual finalist Jason Lentz to the brink of defeat. Similarly, Hansson put a close fight to Jack Jordan, but had to drop out due to a disqualification. In Rotterdam, the focus will be on the two Swedish competitors once more.
In the top-class field of participants, Koen Martens (BEL), Pierre Puybaret (FRA), Geoff Larkin (CAN) and Danny Martin (GER) will also compete for podium places and try to provide some surprises. In addition, Redmer Knol (NEL) wants to prove himself against the competition as a local athlete with his home crowd behind him.