Vic daredevil to compete in world tree climbing competition
A Melbourne daredevil is branching out by entering an international tree climbing competition.
Jess Knott is currently in training and will represent Australia in the contest later this month.
Ms Knott describes herself as a ‘ballerina of the trees’ – in a sport that’s a far cry from the climbing we all did as children.
The professional arborist has an unparalleled fixation on forestry, and where we see towering majesty, she sees a climb to conquer.
For Ms Knott, tree climbing is a consuming passion that has taken root in her life.
"It eats you from the inside," she said.
For Jess tree climbing is an an art not just based on speed and strength, but poise and agility around the branches – all at a head-spinning fifteen metres up.
“Oh, it’s a great buzz. It’s a very good rush,” she said.
Later this month, the arborist will fly to Florida to compete in the world tree climbing titles.
Florida will be her fifth international championship.
The deft tree climber’s best results so far were in 2012 when she came second overall.
But this time she is willing to go out on a limb to score gold.
“I want a title,” she said.
Ms Knott will compete against 17 other tree climbers, all with high hopes of winning the giddying title.
