Top ploughmen arrive for world contest

Press, 28 April 1980, Page 2

Top ploughmen arrive for world contest

Two neatly dressed young men in Austrian national suits, with green trimmings! and their national flag on' their breasts, have arrived in Christchurch to represent their country in the world ploughing contest, which will be held near Lincoln on May 16 and 17.

Much interest will be taken in their performance because Austria has been one of the most successful countries in world ploughing in recent years. Since 1976 it has be.en first three times and second twice.

Hermann Altmann, aged 28. a farmer, who is representing his country again this year, was world champion in the contest held in Sweden in 1976. His colleague, Johann Franz, aged 30, also a farmer, won the stubble section of the 1978 contest in Germany. Mr Leo Parrer, who is coach to the Austrian ploughmen, said this would

be the first time Austria was represented by two men who had ploughed before in world contests. He rated their prospects as very good. Speaking through an interpreter, Mr Altmann said he hoped to win the contest. Asked what made a good ploughman, he said it was many years of training. He had ' been match ploughing since 1970. Mr Parrer said intelligence and sportsmanship were also important. The Austrians have come early to practise in the local soil' before official practice for the contest starts on May 12. The two ploughmen have not been able to plough at home since October or November because of the northern winter and snow.

The men will practise at Greenpark with Steyr tractors and their ploughs, which were sent to New Zealand ahead of them.