On Saturday, June 23rd, 2018 USW Local 6166 held the annual King Miner Competition at the T.R.C.C. Parking Lot. 16 Competitors battled for the top prize of $2000.00, one-of-a-kind King Miner Ring, created by Don Johnson Jewelers, and the trophy and title of 2018 Ming Miner.
After 11 grueling events, which include Hand Mucking, Hose mending, and crib building, Josh Forest won the title of 2018 King Miner for the second year in a row. Jason Stykalo came in second, Scott Kennedy third, and Gord Whalen 4th.
Team event winners this year were Scott Kennedy, Justin Lefebvre, Jason Stykalo, and Alex Martin. Rookie prize went to Micheal Gallant. Rookie is a first time competitor who completed all the events in the fastest time.
Another highlight of the competition was the first ever woman to complete all 11 events in the King Miner competition Malanie Cutler. Everybody gave her support and cheered her on as she competed towards finishing all the events. Even getting Justin Lefebvre to comment at the reception after the competition "As a father of a daughter, i hope she grows up to be half the person Melanie Cutler is”.
The following is the list of winners in all the events:
1. National King Miner:
I. King Miner: Josh Forest
II. 1st Runner Up: Jason Stykalo
III. 2nd Runner Up: Scott Kennedy
IV. 3rd Runner Up: Gord Whalen
2. Team Event: Sponsor - A & B Builders
I. Scott Kennedy
II. Justin Lefebvre
III. Jason Stykalo
IV. Alex Martin
3. Rookie Prize: Sponsor - Sling Choker
I. Micheal Gallant
1 Stoper Drilling (Sponsors - Atlas Copco)
I. 1st Prize: Josh Forest
II. 2nd Prize: Alex Martin
III. 3rd Prize: Gord Whalen
IV. 4th Prize: Justin Lefebvre
2 Jackleg Drilling (Sponsor - Horizon)
I. 1st Prize: Gord Whalen
II. 2nd Prize: Alex Martin
III. 3rd Prize: Josh Forest
IV. 4th Prize: Troy Martin
3 Bolting (Sponsor - Orica)
I. 1st Prize: Alex Martin
II. 2nd Prize: Gord Whalen
III. 3rd Prize: Justin Lefebvre
IV. 4th Prize: Ian Bercier
4 Log Sawing (Sponsor - USW Northern Area Council)
I. 1st Prize: Jason Stykalo
II. 2nd Prize: Scott Kennedy
III. 3rd Prize: Matthew Macgregor
IV. 4th Prize: Josh Forest
5 Ladder Climbing (Sponsor - Smook)
I. 1st Prize: Scott Kennedy
II. 2nd Prize: Jason Stykalo
III. 3rd Prize: Gord Whalen
IV. 4th Prize: Justin Lefebvre
6 Hose Mending (Sponsors - Kleysen Group LTD/Thompson Co-op)
I. 1st Prize: Troy Martin
II. 2nd Prize: Josh Forest
III. 3rd Prize: Gord Whalen
IV. 4th Prize: Jason Stykalo
7 Hand Mucking (Sponsor - Alex MacIntyre)
I. 1st Prize: Josh Forest
II. 2nd Prize: Jason Stykalo
III. 3rd Prize: Alex Martin
IV. 4th Prize: Justin Lefebvre
8 Steel Packing (Sponsor - USW Canadian National Office)
I. 1st Prize: Scott Kennedy
II. 2nd Prize: Matthew Macgregor
III. 3rd Prize: Justin Lefebvre
IV. 4th Prize: Josh Forest
9 Crib Building (Sponsor - Thompson Inn, Burntwood hotel, & The Marlborough)
I. 1st Prize: Scott Kennedy
II. 2nd Prize: Matthew Macgregor
III. 3rd Prize: Gord Whalen
IV. 4th Prize: Josh Forest
10 Pipefitting (Sponsors - Manitoba Federation of Labour/Manitoba Government Employees Union)
I. 1st Prize: Josh Forest
II. 2nd Prize: Jason Stykalo
III. 3rd Prize: Scott Kennedy
IV. 4th Prize: Micheal Gallant
11 Nail Driving (Sponsor - UFCW Local 832)
I. 1st Prize: Scott Kennedy
II. 2nd Prize: Jason Stykalo
III. 3rd Prize: Gord Whalen
IV. 4th Prize: Troy Martin