Axeman on top of world

Whangarei's Jason Wynyard saw off 19 of the world's top lumberjacks to be crowned champion in the 2009 Stihl Timbersports World Championship in Brienz, Switzerland.
It is the second time since 2006 that Wynyard, who now resides in West Auckland, has triumphed in the competition. He won four of the six disciplines of competition to take the overall title on Wednesday.
Wynyard was happy about his second victory.
"After getting off to a weak start in first axe discipline, I did pretty well. It was hard work, but it was a great competition.
"Brienz is incredible, the people were incredible, and I am proud to have won here. It is a special moment for me," he said.
Australian Brad Delosa was once again the bridesmaid, finishing in second place, while German Robert Ebner and Czech Martin Komárek made the fight for third place go right down to the final discipline, with the German grabbing the final podium place.
The top international athletes set a total of 20 new national records before a sold-out crowd of 5000 enthusiastic spectators.
The next Stihl World Championship will be held on September 4 at St Johann, in Austria in 2010.