“Women of STIHL” Take World Championship at Firefighter Competition
Release Date: December 2006
Press Contacts:
Anita Gambill (757) 486-9151 or
Terry Kelley (757) 340-7425
All other inquiries:
STIHL Incorporated
(757) 486-9100
Las Vegas The ”Women of STIHL” firefighter team capped their undefeated season by winning the Firefighter Combat Challenge World Championship trophy in Henderson, Nev. It was their rookie season of relay competition and they bested all other teams with a time of 1:56:02 through the obstacle course.
The Women of STIHL bested perennial winner Del Ray Beach by more than seven seconds. Finishing third was the team from West Palm Beach.
“The Women of STIHL have shown the rest of the world that teamwork, training and fortitude will always prevail. We are very pleased that these ladies embody the same spirit and sense of pride found in STIHL employees worldwide,” said Fred Whyte, president of STIHL Inc.
Outfitted in full firefighter gear, Amy Bielinski, Mary Colasanto and Dawn Hardison of Virginia Beach, along with Katie Hodge and Stacy Carroll of Newport News competed in a relay consisting of five events including climbing the 5-story tower, hoisting and dragging hoses, using a sledge hammer and rescuing a life-sized, 175 lb. “victim” as they race against themselves, their opponent and the clock. The women are coached by Alana Cooper of Virginia Beach.
Touted as “the toughest two minutes in sports,” the Firefighter Combat Challenge was developed more than a decade ago as a fitness competition for firefighters to encourage firefighter fitness and demonstrate the professions rigors to the public.
About the Firefighter Combat Challenge
The Firefighter Combat Challenge is the only nationally televised sports event that has it roots in a federally-funded research grant. While serving on the faculty at the University of Marylands College of Health and Human Performance, Dr. Paul Davis received funding from the US Fire Administration to develop a job-related physical ability test. Dr. Davis, a former firefighter and the president of On-Target Challenge, Inc., has conducted much of the published research on the physiology of firefighting and is widely recognized as the nation's leading authority on public safety fitness and employment issues. The event is managed by On-Target Challenge, Inc.
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 servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast— not mass merchants. 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 STIHL Web site at www.stihlusa.com.
For information on job opportunities with STIHL Inc., please go to www.stihlcareers.com. STIHL is an EEO and drug-free work environment.
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