Kaleb Hollands, of Mosgiel, and Milton’s Troy Calteaux will face off against each other and 11 further national contenders at the CCNZ (Civil Contractors New Zealand) CablePrice National Excavator Operator Competition in Feilding on Friday and Saturday.
Newcomer Mr Hollands is attending as Otago regional winner, while two-time national winner Mr Calteaux is defending champion from 2021, after the event was cancelled because of Covid last year.
Mr Calteaux, who works for father Colin’s firm Andrew Haulage, in Balclutha, played down his chances this year.
"I’ve been off the digger and in the workshop for the past few months, as that’s where I’ve been needed.
"I can’t remember the last time I was in a machine before today. It’s a bit like riding a bike though. You never forget. But it could be fair play for some of the competition this year."
There was no secret to his success, although he had first used a digger aged 4, he said.
"You rely on experience and second nature. To be honest, it’s all a bit stressful on the day, as the concentration level is so high and non-stop.
"But there’s nothing like the feeling when you get a clean run."
More novel tasks have included slam-dunking a basketball into a two-storey concrete pipe using an excavator bucket, and a slalom course.
Mr Hollands, who, at 19, was the youngest ever winner of the Otago regional finals in January, said he was adopting a laid-back approach to the contest.
"I’ll just give it my best — it’s all about the sort of attitude you wake up with on the day."
His regional win continued a family tradition, both father Andrew and uncle Carl having been victorious in previous competitions.
CCNZ chief executive Alan Pollard said the competition celebrated the exceptional skill of New Zealand’s top excavator operators, and hoped to inspire the next generation.
"The more unusual tests of skill always bring the spectators but the competition also has a more serious side, with plenty of more traditional tasks."
The competition began in the mid-1990s.
