Not all sibling rivalries come to axe blows - but this one does. Reigning World Champion Jack Jordan has been denied the opportunity of defending his world title in Europe later this year after being beaten by his big brother at the Stihl TIMBERSPORTS® Nationals over the weekend. New Zealand’s sole representative at the end of year world champs is determined by whoever wins the national title at the Rural Games in Palmerston North, and this year 39-year old Shane Jordan pipped his younger sibling of 10 years, Jack, at the final hurdle.
In a repeat of last year’s competition ending, it all came down to the last of six TIMBERSPORTS® disciplines, with the two brothers even on points once again after five rounds going into the Hot Saw event.
“All I knew going into the Hot Saw was that I had to put up a really good time and try and put the pressure back on Jack, and lucky enough for me it all worked out pretty good,” said Shane Jordan.
“Jack’s pretty hard to beat at the best of times, and so yeah, definitely pretty good yesterday to get one over the top of him.”
So Shane Jordan now looks forward to being New Zealand’s individual competitor at the World Champs in Stuttgart, Germany in October, doing what Jack did to him at last year’s Nationals – snatching victory in the final moments.
“I could see he was hurting at the end of it all, and I felt his pain so I didn’t talk to him too much,” said Shane. “It’ll take him a day or two to process it all, but he’ll certainly be on my side when our NZ Team heads over to try and get that World Championship."
Jack Jordan - attempting his fifth nationals title in a row - will still go to those Championships for the international teams event as part of NZ team, plus he is also confirmed to defend his STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® World Trophy in June in Hungary, a short form, high intensity format that he’s won the last three years in a row. But the weekend’s result was still a tough one for him.
“It’s a lot of pressure that comes with this single today that qualifies us to go overseas. If you have a bad day here it can really muck-up your TIMBERSPORTS® season. But that’s what also gives you the competitive edge to make sure you are up for it. There’s a fair bit on the line. This year it went Shane’s way - and I’m really happy for him,” said Jack.
The younger Jordan didn’t leave the Rural Games empty handed though. He was crowned the Supreme Rural Sports Award winner for the second time at the Ford New Zealand Rural Sports Awards last Friday night.
STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® events for Rookies and Women were not held at this year's Rural Games. Selection events for the Rookie World Championship and the first ever STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Women’s World Championship - both being held in Hungary in June - will take place next month in Australia.
Four NZ women and four Rookies will head to Australia for Oceania-competitions from which the top performing Kiwi woman and rookie will be chosen to represent New Zealand at their respective TIMBERSPORTS® World Champs in Budapest.
