National Shearer & Wool Handler Champions separated to new levels
01 Nov '07
3 min read
The National Shearer and Wool Handler Championships at Warrnambool on the weekend promised close competition, and spectators were not disappointed.
Determined to make it to the world titles in Norway next year to defend his world champion title, Shannon Warnest lifted the crowd in a packed pavilion to their feet.
With five sheep remaining and strong competition from Jason Wingfield from Victoria and Beau Guelfi from Western Australia; the South Australian put in a display that has put him in with the greatest Australian shearers of all time. Shannon Warnest shore 18 sheep in 19.48 minutes just 2 “blows” or .05 seconds in front of Beau Guelfi.
When the quality of the shearing was assessed, both from on the board and in by examining the sheep in the count out pens Shannon Warnest was the overall winner with Jason Wingfield placed second.
The close competition was not confined to the shearing, with the wool handlers from across Australia showing what can be done.
With objective assessment of fleece throwing and wool preparation, Mel Morris from Tasmania and Debbie Chandler from Western Australia knew that they would not only have to be quick but extremely thorough.
Only 0.2 points separated Mel and Debbie, with Mel the final winner of the National Wool Handler Championships.
The President of Sport Shear Australia, Peter Artridge, announced the Australian team competitors for the 2008 World titles as:
• Shearers - Shannon Warnest SA, Jason Wingfield VIC,
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