STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® Collegiate Selected as Finalist in 2009 SportsTravel Awards Multisport/Multidiscipline Event Category

Release Date: August 2009

Media Contact:
Cama Poffenberger
Career Sports & Entertainment
770.955.1300 (office)
404.345.1019 (cell)
cpoffenberger@careersports.com

All other inquiries:
STIHL Incorporated
(757) 486-9100

Fan votes determine the winner

Virginia Beach, Va. (Aug. 12, 2009) – STIHL Inc., creator and owner of the premier lumberjack sports event, the STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® Series presented by Carhartt, is proud to announce that its Collegiate Championship has been selected as a finalist in the 2009 SportsTravel Awards in the best multi-sport or multi-discipline event at the collegiate level.

Fans will determine the ultimate winner by voting online at http://vote.schneiderpublishing.com/ballot.
The voting deadline is Monday, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. EDT.

The 2009 STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® Collegiate Championship in Columbus, Ga. offered nonstop thrills until the very end with Adam LaSalle from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point taking the title by a mere point over Montgomery Community College’s Matt Slingerland. LaSalle, a native of Williamstown, NY, earned the championship title, which secures him a place in the 2010 STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Professional Series.

“I’m honored to be the 2009 STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® Collegiate Series champion,” said LaSalle. “The fact that STIHL has created such an opportunity for college lumberjack athletes not only furthers the sport, but creates an avenue from the amateur to the professional ranks. The 2009 Collegiate Championship was an amazing experience for all involved and one I’ll obviously never forget.”

The SportsTravel Awards, given by SportsTravel magazine, recognizes events with superior organization and attendance, a first-class experience for competitors and spectators and taking place at a site or venue that enhanced the overall event. A panel of industry experts selects the nominees and readers and fans determine the ultimate winner.

“We’re extremely proud that the panel of industry experts at SportsTravel magazine has recognized the STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® Collegiate Championship as being among the best in its class,” said Roger Phelps, promotional communications manager for STIHL Inc.

The other nominees in the collegiate level multi-sport or multi-discipline event category are: 2009 Collegiate National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo.; 2009 Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa; 2009 NAIA Indoor Track-Field Championships in Johnson City, Tenn.; 2009 NCAA Division II Winter National Championships Festival in Houston, Texas and 2009 NJCAA Swimming and Diving Championships in Buffalo, NY.

Before the STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS ^® Collegiate Series competition, a training session will be conducted by professional lumberjack Dave Jewett. Jewett will provide pointers to the collegiate lumberjacks, demonstrate techniques involved in the lumberjack disciplines and assist the athletes in improving their skills.

The SportsTravel Awards will be presented at the TEAMS 2009 Conference & Expo in New Orleans Oct.13-17.

Since its inception in 2003, The STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® Collegiate Series on ESPNU identifies the top collegiate lumberjacks and provides them with an opportunity to advance in the sport and join the ranks of the professional STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® Series elite.

The Collegiate Series consists of five regional qualifying events and one championship. At each of the collegiate qualifying events, competitors from participating colleges and universities compete in four disciplines using professional rules and professional-sized wood; the single buck, stock saw, standing block chop and underhand chop.

The Standing Block Chop Competition at the
STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® Western Collegiate Challenge.

At each of the collegiate qualifying events, the competitor with the most total points after all four disciplines earns $1000 donation to their school’s scholarship fund and a spot in the STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® Collegiate Championship which is held in conjunction with the professional Series championship. The collegiate champion earns a spot in the STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® Professional Series the following season.

Join the STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® Mobile Community now by texting STS to STIHL (78445) and get the latest news, alerts and special offers direct to your mobile device. Standard mobile service provider rates apply.

You can also find the STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® Series on Facebook – The Official STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series.

For more information, go to www.ESPNOutdoors.com and click on TIMBERSPORTS^® , or visit www.stihltimbersports.com.

About STIHL Inc.
STIHL Inc. manufactures the world's largest selling brand of chain saws and produces a full line of powerful, lightweight, and versatile handheld outdoor power equipment for homeowners and professional users. STIHL products are sold through independent servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast not mass merchants. STIHL products sold through U.S. STIHL dealers are for distribution in the United States only. For more information or for the name of the closest STIHL retailer call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445) or visit the dealer locator on STIHL's Web site at www.stihlusa.com.

STIHL Inc. is the official underwriting sponsor of the STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® Series. The series airs throughout the year on the ESPN2 cable network, and the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Collegiate Series airs on ESPNU. The STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® SERIES is the pinnacle event in lumberjack sports. Since 1985 the Series has grown to become the premier showcase of the decades old sport of lumberjacking with competitions held around the world.

The term TIMBERSPORTS^® is a registered trademark owned by ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KG. and refers to the series of disciplines and competitions that are part of the STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® Series. As such, it should not be used as a generic description of the overall sport of lumberjack sports. This trademark refers to all modifications of the term TIMBERSPORTS^® such as timber sports, or timbersport. The term TIMBERSPORTS^® should always appear in conjunction with "STIHL."

About Carhartt, Inc
Established in 1889, Carhartt, Inc. exists to provide best-in-class, durable products for the active worker. Carhartt is a family owned, consumer focused, global company that is respectful of its heritage. We lead the way in developing durable, premium, high quality products and services for workers on and off the job. Headquartered in Dearborn, Mich., with more than 4,500 employees worldwide, Carhartt is privately owned and managed by the descendants of the companys founder, Hamilton Carhartt. For more information, visit www.carhartt.com.