04.01.2023

Aussie wins Bronto Challenge

The winners of the Bronto Challenge Tour 2022 have been named, following 11 heats in 10 different countries.

The challenge kicked off with a heat at Vertikal Days in May when Matthew Hudyma of Wilson Access (now with Clerkin Elevation) set what looked like a winning score of 260 out of a possible 300. However, there were a further 10 heats culminating with Bauma in late October.
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The Challenge gave operators and anyone brave enough to take up the opportunity to compete on a timed aerial race course in virtual reality. The company said: “We saw moments of triumph, enthusiasm, laughter as well as defeat, as nearly 200 individuals took part in the challenge. But only one can be crowned as the winner and one operator rose above everyone else.”

And The Winner is
The Global winner is …...Gregory Smith an operator with Summit Tower Hire in Brisbane, Australia. He entered the event at AFAC 22 in Adelaide last August, having broken his holiday in order to fly in and take part. He soared into a clear lead with a score of 280 points out of 300, a score that was not matched in the seven remaining heats.
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Charitable benefit
In addition to the trophy Gregory Smith won a €5,000 donation to the charity of his choice. As a father of a young autistic boy, he chose Autism Queensland which delivers a comprehensive range of education, therapy and support services to assist autistic people of all ages, their families and those who work with them.
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(L-R) Darren Doyle and Phillip McCaw of Autism Queensland, with Peter Wellspring of Bronto and daughter Abbie, alongside the winner Gregory Smith and sons Phoenix and Clayton

Double donation
The $A7,600 donation was presented to Phillip McCaw and Darren Doyle of Autism Queensland by Peter Wellspring of Bronto Skylift Aus/NZ. In addition, Summit Tower Hire volunteered to match the donation, making a total of $15,200.

Runners Up
Matthew Hudyma managed to hold on to second place with his 260 points, while Dennis Hall, a firefighter from the Östra Götaland fire brigade in Norrköping, Sweden took third place with a score of 257 points at the Swedish heat in September.