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Sylvan Lake local to represent Alberta at World Axe Throwing Championship

Marnie Simpson Lee won the right to compete at the world championship Saturday night
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Marnie Simpson Lee throws an axe in the first set of three for the final round of the chmapionship tournament on Nov. 24. Simpson Lee won the tournamnet with a best two out of three in the final round. She will now move on to represent Alberta at the World Axe Throwing Championship. Photos by Megan Roth/Sylvan Lake News

A champion to represent Alberta has been chosen from a number of talented axe throwers.

On Nov. 24, The Wood Shed Axe Throwing in Sylvan Lake held a tournament to find a champion to represent the province at the World Axe Throwing Championship in Chicago.

Six competitors played against each other in a winner-takes-all tournament, which crowned Marnie Simpson Lee as the champion.

She will represent Alberta at the World Championship in Chicago on Dec. 15.

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Going to such a large competition is new for Simpson Lee, who has been throwing axes for roughly four years.

She said one thing she will have to work on before going to Chicago is putting her nerves behind her.

“I’m pretty nervous. I was really nervous here too, I don’t even remember the last couple throws,” Simpson Lee said after she was crowned the champion.

She says she is very excited to go to the world championship, though she isn’t sure exactly what to expect.

Right now she has no real expectations on how she will do.

“I’ve seen the scores some of these guys out up, it’s amazing really. I’m not sure I’m up to that,” said Simpson Lee.

“I’m just going to go and try my best and have fun.”

Simpson Lee was chosen to be the Alberta representative at the championship through a tournament, which saw her battling it out for top spot in a best of three match.

With one throw left, she was tied with her competitor. Her last throw found the bulls eye while her opponent was just off centre.

Keri Pratt, co-owner of The Wood Shed, says she is excited for Simpson Lee and to watch her compete in the televised event.

“I think she is going to do really well, we are all excited her for,” said Pratt.

The tournament became necessary when the league champion, Jas Payne - who was also crowned Saturday night - could not attend due to an attendance requirement he did not meet.

This is the first year The Wood Shed is sending a competitor to the world championship tournament.

The Sylvan Lake facility is also only one of three in Canada that qualifies to send an athlete to the championship games.

“It is an amazing opportunity for us, and we are so excited to take part,” said Pratt.

For Simpson Lee, while nervous, she is excited to try her hand on the world stage in this sport.

“I’ve never been particularly good at anything, or very athletic, this is something I can do and can do pretty well, so I’m excited to see what happens,” Simpson Lee said.

The World Axe Throwing Championship is held on Dec. 15 in Chicago, Illinois and will be broadcast on ESPN.


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Two competitors face off in the final round of the tournament to decide who will attend the World Axe Throwing Championship in Chicago on Dec. 15. Photo by Megan Roth/Sylvan Lake News