Two state championships in woodchopping and sawing will be decided at the Exeter Show on Saturday.
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The 375mm single-handed sawing title is the most sought after in the sport and has attracted a quality field, with Gowrie Park's defending champion Kody Steers aiming to go back to back.
Multiple world champion David Foster came out of retirement at Burnie last month to contest the world double-handed Jack and Jill title with his daughter Janelle, and although missing out on the world title, he will rate a strong chance for a state crown at Exeter.
Foster holds the state record for the event, set in 1998, but his 31-year record could be under threat this weekend in such a quality field.
His son Stephen is also a capable single-handed sawyer and will be chasing his own glory, while Winkleigh’s Daniel Beams will be chasing what is virtually a home-town victory just down the road from home.
The 300mm underhand hard hitting championship should also be a tight contest, with Gowrie Park youngster Josh Bakes hoping to defend the only state championship he won last year.
His biggest danger could be training partner Kody Steers, who won the 300mm hard hitting state title in the standing block at Huonville in November and will be looking to complete the hard hitting state title double.
The Exeter Show program will also feature a strong line-up of female entrants, who will compete in the women’s 275mm underhand handicap, the women’s 375mm single-handed sawing handicap and the Jack and Jill 375mm double-handed sawing handicap.
Junior 250mm standing and 275mm underhand handicaps will carry points for the Tuatahi Statewide Series, while Deloraine father and son Matthew and Daniel Gurr will go head to head in the 300mm tree felling handicap as they prepare for the world championship in Sydney at Easter.
Other events include the 250mm and 300mm standing handicap, 300mm underhand handicap, veterans 250mm standing handicap, 375mm single-handed sawing handicap and a 450mm double-handed sawing handicap.
The action will begin at 9.30am.