The strongest loggers of the Vitebsk region recently took part in the regional lumberjack competitions

The competition featured not only masters of the main tool – the chainsaw, but also specialists in operating modern logging equipment – forwarder operators and hydraulic manipulator operators. The participants represented logging organizations of the concern «Bellesbumprom» system: «Polotskles», «Vitebskles», and «Vitebskdrev»; members of the national team from Bobruisk OJSC «FanDOK» and OJSC «Mostovdrev» also competed. Forest fellers identified the strongest at the base of the Kurino forestry of the Surazh forestry enterprise, while «mechanics» competed at OJSC «Vitebskdrev».

Nikolay Tikhonovsky, Deputy General Director for Forestry, Timber Resources and Transport of Vitebskdrev, opening the competition, noted that Belarus is among the ten most forested countries in Europe. And the beautiful pine forests, birch groves, oak forests, and magnificent mixed forests are the result of the responsible attitude of Belarusians towards their green wealth.

— Among the goals of the competition are the encouragement and promotion of best practices, high-quality, productive, and, I emphasize, safe labor, and the popularization of the profession, — noted the chief judge of the competition, coach of the national team, consultant of the concern

"Bellesbumprom" Nikolay Pototsky. — The tournament rules pay the utmost attention to safety. All points earned for accuracy and speed can be lost by committing the slightest violation of labor protection conditions. Many people are injured and die in logging areas worldwide; according to statistics, one human life is lost per million cubic meters of harvested timber. In Belarus, about 17 million cubic meters are harvested, and the number of victims is much lower than the global indicators.

Often, 1-2 points separated a participant from reaching the podium. For example, during the exercise

"Tree Felling" , within three minutes, the participant must cut down a tall pine tree and fell it precisely onto a stake set 15 meters from its base, without violating felling parameters. For every centimeter of deviation of the fallen trunk's center from the stake's center, the participant loses one point. A millimeter or degree of deviation in felling parameters from the established values also leads to significant point losses. And if the logger, for example, does not complete the task within five minutes, there is no point in continuing the competition.

Alongside champions and prize-winners of republican and international competitions, debutants took part in the regional competitions, and seasoned specialists willingly shared their experience with newcomers.

— I have been in professional sports for five years, I started as a junior and now I have reached the national team, — said logger of OJSC

"FanDOK" Osipovichi logging enterprise, two-time champion of Latvia Alexander Sugako. — In the current competition, I felled a pine tree well — the stump is ideal in all parameters, but the trunk fell with a deviation of 70 centimeters: this was influenced by the natural features of the tree itself.

According to the results of the competition, Alexander Sugako became the winner in the individual competition among loggers, the best forwarder operator and the best hydraulic manipulator operator were representatives of OJSC

"Vitebskdrev" — Alexey Bolotnikov and Dmitry Zhukovsky, respectively.

Dmitry KONOKHOV, "Vitbichi"