Ryan Campbell, a MaineDOT snowplow operator, captured first place at the XIII International Winter Road Congress Snowplow Championship in Quebec City. Campbell was the best in a field of over 20 operators that came from all over the world. MaineDOT?s Joe Osgood finished in the top ten as well.
Campbell, from MaineDOT?s Charleston Maintenance Facility, and Osgood, from the MaineDOT Topsfield Maintenance Facility, represented the United States in the competition. The pair was invited by and had all their expenses paid for by AASHTO (American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials).
?Maine is fortunate to have some the most dedicated and talented plow operators in the country? said MaineDOT Commissioner David Cole, ?The strong showing by both Ryan and Joe confirms that we have some of the best snowfighters in the world.?
MaineDOT?s Campbell and Osgood competed against plow operators from such countries as France, Morocco, Canada, Andorra, South Korea, and Sweden.
Contestants were asked to simulate performing snow removal duties using the front blade and the side wing of a one-way plow, on a circuit approximately 300 meters long. They had to maneuver a winged plow truck through and around barrels, parked cars, narrow roads, a barrel slalom course in both forward and reverse, reverse to a barrier and stop on a line in a narrowing alley. Contestants also had to inspect their vehicles for safety standards before starting, and were timed on the 300-meter course. Contestants were scored on each part of the course.
The International Winter Road Congress is an annual event where countries and states meet to exchange best practices and learn new about new technologies.
Those interested in viewing a short video of the competition can see the contest at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFzAUhzHGdk.