HUNDREDS turned out to enjoy the Wanganui A&P; show, held at the Wanganui Racecourse over the weekend.
Taking advantage of the merciful weather, the crowd milled between sideshows, trade displays and equestrian events guzzling hotdogs, hot potatoes and candyfloss. Wood chopping proved as popular as ever, with spectators treated to skilled displays by both the men and women's world champions Elma Wallis and David Bolstad. Mr Bolstad said he now held a total of 68 world titles.
His last big win had been in September, in Germany, where he won a Suzuki Grand Vitara. Some months earlier, in June, Mr Bolstad had taken another title at a competition in Wisconsin, in the United States, where he was rewarded with a Dodge pick-up truck.
Saturday also saw the emergence of a new contender from a well-known Wanganui chopping dynasty.
Wade Nicols, at only 15, wowed the crowd with an early fourth place in an open, all-ages chopping event. Wade said he had won a few youth chops and felt it was time to enter some open events this year.
A fourth generation axeman, he hoped to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather champion wood choppers from years past.
Wade's father and President of the Wanganui Axemen's club, Kevin Nicol, said Wade was a very promising young axman. Nicol men had been chopping for a 100 years at least, he said.
They had been practising the sport right back in the early bush days.
Commentator Don Bayler said Wade would likely win the Stu Nicol Memorial Trust Cup one day the cup named in honour of Wade's grandfather.
PICTURED: Bush blooded... Fourth generation Kiwi wood chopper Wade Nicol, 15, takes an early fourth in an open, all ages, wood chop.
Hundreds turn out for A&P show
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.