Competitive, ambitious and enthusiastic. At the end of our last interview, the parting shot from Dennis Schmitz, the 2018 German Rookie Champion, was, "Plans for 2019? Yes, I could have." And indeed - the TIMBERSPORTS® competitor is just preparing for the TIMBERSPORTS® Professionals Cup. But first he has to pass another test: qualification in the disciplines Stock Saw, Single Buck, Hot Saw and Springboard. OCHSENKOPF has been supporting Dennis during the preparations.

So far, his path has been, and remains, both challenging and all about training: several times a week, Dennis - from Frechen near Cologne - practises his Standing Block Chop, Underhand Chop, Single Buck and Stock Saw. Then there are the sessions in the gym and mental training. This kind of passion and discipline is essential if, like Dennis, you have ambitions in this sport. The six competitive disciplines require tremendous levels of fitness, strength, precision and mental energy. So what counts just as much as talent is the motto, " Practice makes perfect".
Which is why Stihl supports the athletes intensively from the beginning. Test training marks the entrance into the world of TIMBERSPORTS®. Once a candidate has successfully completed this, Stihl invites him to participate in further training sessions. Qualified trainers introduce the Rookies to the six TIMBERSPORTS® disciplines, build up their strength, and guide them, step by step, towards the classifications. Which is not to say that anyone who can more or less split a block of wood with an axe can automatically start thinking about cups and competitions. As well as the times stipulated in the rulebook, working cleanly, technique and safety are key criteria that an athlete must prove himself in.
The first station for a new athlete after the training sessions is entering for the Rookie Cup. If a newcomer meets the requirements and successfully completes the competition, he starts preparing for the professional class and qualification for the professional competitions.