Chopper off the old block

Wood chopping

Fawcett follows in outstanding family tradition with historic win

Masterton axeman Quintin Fawcett triumphed in one of the South Island's top wood chopping events, the Darcy Seymour Memorial underhand, at Ikamatua last weekend.

The 17-year-old was the star act on the second day of the two-day show after having no luck on the first when he consistently made finals only to draw knotty wood which damaged his axes.

The latter situation had Fawcett working hard overnight to have at least a couple of axes in prime condition for second-day action and he started promisingly with a second place in the standing chop. He then went on to win the 300m diameter underhand chop before taking out the big one, the Seymour Memorial.

The wood for all the events at Ikatamua was birch, which is a hardwood, and in the case of the Seymour Memorial it was 350mm in diameter.

Fawcett's victory was made more notable by the fact he became the youngest winner of the major trophy by all of four years, an exceptional effort in a contest requiring considerable skill and stamina.

Accompanying Fawcett on his trip south was his grandfather, Eddie, a legendary figure in the sport of wood chopping who is still competing with distinction, and between them they registered three firsts and two seconds.

For Fawcett, next weekend will be the last of his competitions before the winter break but he intends to continue a strenuous training programme so as to be in prime condition for next season, which could include a trip to Europe for some events there.