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A Canadian team of two brothers made their inaugural appearance memorable by setting a record score to win the seventh annual De Beers Inspired Ice International Ice Carving Competition, held during the Long John Jamboree in Yellowknife, March 28-31.
Ross Baisas of Montreal and Tony Baisas of Ottawa scored an incredible 99.1 with their work, “Balance”, to top the seven-team field.
Second place went to Americans Aaron Costic of Ohio and Matt Stoddart of Kentucky, who were just 3.37 points behind the record score.
“The competition at the De Beers Inspired Ice International Ice Carving event continues to attract the best carvers from around the world year after year, which is a testament to the volunteers and people in Yellowknife who run an incredible event supported by unmatched Yellowknife hospitality,” said Allan Rodel, General Manager of Gahcho Kué Mine. “I am also extremely proud of the huge effort by everyone involved to overcome the unseasonably warm weather that forced a last-minute change of venue from the ice of Yellowknife Bay into town next to the Fieldhouse to ensure the safety of the carvers and those in attendance. There are multiple stories of people and businesses stepping up to help with the relocation and the result was a great competition and wonderful community turnout.“
This is the second year of a five-year, $150,000 commitment by De Beers Canada to the Jamboree as the title sponsor of the De Beers Inspired Ice International Ice Carving Competition.
Balance, the winning carving, was a female figure with flowing hair and gown holding a balance scale in one hand and a sword in the other. It also captured the People’s Choice Award, voted on by spectators attending the Jamboree.
“You really have to be a master sculptor, a master of the craft, to be able to bring fabric to the table, to bring hair to the table,” said Lead Judge Ken Diederich, from Cleveland, Ohio. “(The sculpture) invokes emotion, you can see the eyes, you can see how the jaw comes together. Every part of it looks so real. It’s amazing, spot on.”
A heart-breaking moment at the very end of the competition saw one carving, Little Nap by Mowafak Nema from Ottawa and Don Lowing from Philadelphia, collapse shortly after the last support was cut away, just before it was to be judged.
FINAL STANDINGS
- Balance – Ross Baisas, Montreal, and Tony Baisas, Ottawa
- Unbridled – Aaron Costic, Ohio, and Matt Stoddart, Kentucky
- Release of the Freedom Fighter – Peter Slavin, Pennsylvania, and Don Rebholz, Illinois
- Midnight Crow – Larry MacFarlane, Winnipeg, and Manoj Khorugdharry, Ottawa
- Fellow Traveller – Nate McKeough and Jeremy Kuzub, both of Ottawa
- Arches – JD Hollingshead, Yellowknife, and Jamie Look, Ottawa
- Little Nap – Mowafak Nema and Don Lowing