ESPN TIMBERSPORTS

COLUMBUS, Ga. — Fans at the Aflac Outdoor Games in Columbus, Ga. will be greeted with a familiar scene in the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series presented by Carhartt speed climb finals, as last year's pairing of Derek Knutson and Brian Bartow will once again be the matchup on Sunday.

Knutson earned his place in the finals with a time of 11.62 seconds, beating two-time STIHL TIMBERSPORTS speed climb champion Cassidy Scheer by more than three seconds. Bartow took down Stirling Hart in the semifinals with a time of 11.89 seconds in what looked to be a photo finish, until an official review discovered that Hart failed to gaffe in the lower section of the tree. Hart received a three-minute penalty, bringing his time to 3:12.01.

"I definitely didn't take it easy on the way down, but I looked over and saw that I beat him to the top," said Bartow of his run. "So I just made sure I got a clean climb on the way down."

Bartow beat Knutson in the finals last year to earn his second STIHL TIMBERSPORTS title in the speed climb — a fact that is not lost on Knutson as he prepares for the finals rematch.

"I'm really sick of getting second place," said Knutson. "But Brian's such a good climber, it's honestly just an honor to be up there with him."

Knutson predicted that it will take a time in the low 11-second range to edge Bartow, leaving room to improve after his semifinal time.

"11.6 wasn't too bad considering the heat, but I have a feeling it won't cut it in the finals," said Knutson. Both competitors mentioned the heat as an important variable in this year's competition, but for very

different reasons. For Bartow, who pulled a muscle in the opening round in Lehi, Utah, the heat is an advantage.

"I'm not used to it being quite this hot and muggy, but it's easier to get warmed up," said Bartow. "If it was this hot in Utah I probably wouldn't have pulled a muscle."

Knutson, however, said the heat is affecting the equipment used by the climbers.

"The heat is really making the bottom of the trees punky and kind of soft," he said. "We're using electrical tape around the rope to help, but it's melting on the way up. Everyone's trying different things to make it hold."

The heat did not, however, appear to be a factor in the boom run, where last year's third place finisher Shana Martin advanced to the finals to face young up-and-comer Alyse Schroeder. Martin defeated Katie Rick in the semifinals with a time of 11.72 seconds to Rick's 11.88 seconds, while Schroeder took down Olivia Judd with an 11.32 to Judd's 14.39.

The race promises to be a study in contrasts, as both competitors have opposing styles.

"I'll be honest, [Schroeder] has really long legs," said Martin, who is known more for her power than her finesse. "For her it's like running on land.

"We're quite equal, but we just have very different styles."

Both Schroeder and Martin said the event could come down to the placement of the logs, which could favor either competitor based on the length and placement of each piece of wood. Smaller logs at the beginning of the run would favor Schroeder, who takes fewer steps and "pitter patters" across the wood, according to Martin. Longer logs at the beginning would favor Martin, who said she needs the length to build up her speed.

But regardless of log placement, both competitors have a very clear focus going into the final day. "I absolutely didn't come here to get second," said Martin. "Third place last year was not cool. As much as we love the sport, we're also fierce competitors, and we're looking forward to the finals."