Father and son set for battle at Carrbridge chainsaw championship

They say blood is thicker than water – well, that’s until the chainsaws get picked up.

Family rivalries are set to dominate tomorrow’s Carve Carrbridge as brother goes up against brother and father against son.

At the 2019 Scottish Open Chainsaw Carving Competition, also known as Carve Carrbridge, multiple winner Pete Bowsher from Moffat will be challenged for the top spot by his son Sam.

He has only been carving for a few years but has already started up his own chainsaw carving business ‘Chip off the Old Block’.

With dad Pete having been a winner seven out of 13 years, and runner-up last year, Sam will need razor sharp skills and nerve on the day if he is to come out on top. Equally, Pete will want to prove that he’s not over the hill yet.

Former professional rugby player Mike Burgess, who has been carving for six years, will be hoping that his brother’s success in 2016 will not give his sibling an advantage.

Brother Jonathan Sherwood won Best Newcomer at Carve Carrbridge three years ago and will definitely have his eye on a podium place at the weekend.

There is one female carver on the field this year, Sylvia Itzen from Germany.

She is joined by fellow countryman Michael Tamozus who won last year with his truly impressive carve ‘Girl in the Wind’.

Other countries represented include the USA, Canada, Poland and Argentina.

Carve Carrbridge is now in its 17th year.

It is the ultimate speed chainsaw carving competition and attracts some of the best names in the business, not to mention thousands of spectators.

The competition involves each carver having to create a work of art from a piece of Sitka Spruce 22 inches in diameter and eight foot long – in only four hours. They’re only allowed to use chainsaws to produce their sculpture and burners to add finishing details to the carvings.

The winner of the main carve, as voted for by the six strong judging panel, will raise the Claymore Trophy and earn the right to ‘brag’ at the Carve Carrbridge Ceilidh later that evening.

There is also a trophy for the People’s Choice – the best carving as voted for by visitors to the event, Carvers Choice – the best carving as voted for by the competitors – and Best New Entrant.

Following the main competition there is also a Quick Carve, where competitors have just 30 minutes to create something special.

Carve Carrbridge organiser, Gavin Gerrard said: “We’ve always said that Carve Carrbridge is an event for all the family and we’re delighted to see the carvers have taken this quite literally with brothers and fathers and sons going up against each other.

"The Carve is a massive event for Carrbridge and would not be possible without the dedicated band of volunteers – with many of them making it a family affair too with sons and daughters volunteering alongside mothers and fathers!

"They work tirelessly to ensure everyone has a great day.

"We are also very grateful to the many local and national businesses who sponsor the event. I think the 2019 competition is set to be the best yet!”

The event opens to the public at 10am with carving getting underway at 10.30am. All carvings created on the day are auctioned off at the end of the event following the prize giving (usually around 4.30pm).

As well as the carving competition there is a whole host of other attractions and stalls for spectators to enjoy as well as music from the local pipe band.

Once again there are free shuttle buses from Station Road car parks.

For more information visit the Carve Carrbridge website: http://www.carvecarrbridge.com/

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