STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AND EUROPEAN TROPHY UPDATE
Dear TIMBERSPORTS® fans,
After careful consideration of the global health situation stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, we today regret to announce the difficult decision to cancel our 2020 international events, including the Individual and Team World Championship and the European Trophy. The events were scheduled for 7-8 November, in Gothenburg, Sweden, and 23 August, at BBC Countryfile Live in Windsor Great Park, UK, respectively. We have taken this decision in respect of the health and security of all athletes, spectators and employees. We are currently exploring the potential to host the European Trophy and Individual World Championships without an audience towards the end of the year.
Given the volatile landscape for guidance on local gatherings, the trajectory of the virus and global travel policies, we do not expect to have enough planning security to hold our 2020 international events in their current format as public events.
This decision has been taken in agreement with both venue partners, the Partille Arena in Gothenburg and BBC Countryfile Live, who have also announced the cancellation of their entire event at Windsor Great Park on 23 August. We still aim to hold events in the future with both partners.
Alternative planning to resume international season
We haveprovisionally drawn up an alternative plan to resume the international season and hold at least two international competitions in a secure and controlled environment, with no live audience, later in 2020. Currently, the plan is to hold the European Trophy on Sunday 8thNovember in the Bavaria Film Studios in Munich, Germany, to allow the best European athletes to qualify for next year’s World Trophy. In addition, we are aiming to hold the Individual World Championship as the season’s marquee event on Sunday 29thNovember in the same location, allowing the world’s 12 best individual athletes to compete against each other and crown a STIHL TIMBERSPORTS®Individual World Champion. Unfortunately, a Team World Championship will not be held this year.
This alternative arrangement will only come into action if it can be held in alignment with local security regulations, international travel policies and in accordance with governmental guidance and restrictions.
We areworking with our Medical Director on a viable hygiene system to protect all participants. Due to the everchanging situation, wewill be permanently assessing these circumstances and will provide an update on the process in due course.
If you have purchased tickets for an upcoming STIHL TIMBERSPORTS®competition, or for more information about affected events, please visit https://www.partillearena.se/event/timbersportsand https://www.countryfilelive.com/windsor-great-park/countryfile-live-cancellation.
Nordic TIMBERSPORTS® season
The safety and health of our spectators, athletes and employees has the highest priority. In this regard, we have extended the decision to cancel all Nordic TIMBERSPORTS® events scheduled to take place until the end of August 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
The cancellation of Nordic activities beyond the end of August 2020 will be re-evaluated by the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Nordics as the situation develops, and we will continue to provide updates accordingly. We reserve the right to implement the necessary measures to help protect public health and general wellbeing into the future, and beyond the end of August 2020 if required.
Thank you for your understanding and stay healthy!
