MOR sports medicine physician Krystian Bigosinski, MD, recently acted as the medical professional for the 34th Annual International Tree Climbing Championship (ITCC) at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL. The competition included more than 50 arborists from 14 countries around the world. The participating arborists qualified for the international competition upon winning local competitions hosted by their respective chapters of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
The competitors demonstrated their fascinating skills in five timed events including "Aerial Rescue" in which competitors must retrieve a 110 pound "Rescue Randy" dummy and safely return it to the ground following the proper steps of a real rescue. Events such as these demonstrated the skills required to perform the day-to-day job duties of an arborist. The top three scorers within each event received a medal and cash prize, while the top overall scorers advanced to the Masters' Challenge Championship. The male and female winners of this final competition received prizes and were named champions.
In addition to the competition, spectators were able to experience a climb as the professionals do, with a safety harness and ropes in the "Recreational Tree Climb."
To learn more about The Morton Arboretum and the competition visit: www.mortonarb.org.
