Baltic States Tree Climbing Championships 2023
The Baltic Tree Climbing Championships 2023 took place in Oginskis manor park in Plunge, Lithuania, June 9-10. The competition was held for the 11th time since 2012, the competition was organized by Lietuvos Arboristu Asociacia (Lithuanian Arborist Association). 31 competitors took part, among them nine Estonians. The head judge of the competition was Rip Tompkins (USA), the head technician was John ‘Didj’ Coles (NOR). On the first day, there were five events: workclimb, aerial rescue, throwline, belayed speedclimb and ascent event, after which the best four male and two best female competitors reached the finals. The final competition, the Masters Challenge, took place on the second day of the competition, and Uldis Snikis (LAT) and Kerdi Varm (EST) became the Baltic champions in tree climbing.
In addition to the final competition, on the second day there was also a spectacular and intense head-to-head ascent event, which was started and carried out by Ats Mölder. The winners of the area were Uldis Snikis and Kerdi Varm. Look here.
The Estonian Arboricultural Society organized the aerial rescue of the victim from the tree in the competition area, which was supported by Arbogear with prizes. Piia Kivisild, Elisabeth Toomast, Robert Oetjen, Mart Hiio helped in setting up and running the competition area. Thank you!
Aerial rescue, Daniel Holter Hovind (NOR)
Competitors from Estonia: Andreas Kaal, Andrus Kokerov, Villem Kreem, Raimond Menne, Tauri Mikk, Ats Mölder, Priit Siimann, Tarmo Sklave, Kerdi Varm. The best Estonian result was Kerdi Varm, who became the Baltic champion in the women’s category. Andrus Kokerov took the highest place in the men’s competition, but Priit Siimann (age 16) had a strong debut competition, who won overwhelmingly in the students’ competition, was third among Estonians and fourteenth overall. Results tables and links to photo galleries can be found below. The next Baltic Treeclimbing Championships will take place in the summer of 2024 in Estonia.
