On Saturday, May 6th, after the Preliminary Events in the CT Tree Climbing Competition, the Master’s Challenge was held in order to determine the top Connecticut Tree Climber. In order to participate in the CTCC Master’s Challenge, the climber must be a resident of Connecticut. Competitors in the Challenge are selected in terms of order of finish, up until there are three competitors. If a higher placed competitor chooses not to stay for the Challenge, the next highest finisher is moved up to fill the vacant space.
The three competitors in the 2023 Master’s Challenge were:
Tim Reynolds
Ryan Torcicollo
Jake Slade
In the Master’s Challenge, three work stations are placed in a large tree, and climbers move through the tree completing assigned tasks. The competitors are scored on the basis of skill as well as speed as they complete the tasks during the Master’s Challenge. Each competitor has 20 minutes in which to complete his climb (2 women climbers competed in 2023 but were not from Connecticut). The competitor’s climb is not considered as completed until all gear, including all ropes, have been removed from the tree.
The day was warm and sunny and the Master’s Challenge took place under favorable conditions. All three competitors gave 200% to become the winner of the CT TCC. In the end, Jake Slade was declared the winner by a slim margin with a score of 242.33, followed by Tim Reynolds with 238.00 and Rich Torcicollo at 200.oo. It was a very successful and we are grateful to all the competitors and volunteers who spent the day at Fairfield Hills, CT.
Rich Torcicollo, Jake Slade and Tim Reynolds -Master’s Challenge competitors.
2023 CT TCC Climbers and Competitors.
