Some of the country's top rural athletes are preparing to take on the world's best in a very kiwi competition at the World Shearing and Woolhandling Championships in Invercargill.
Competitors from 32 countries including South Africa, Iceland, France and New Zealand will be taking part in the four day event along with 4500 sheep.
The tournament first started back at Bath and West in England in 1977.
Championships Chairman Tom Wilson has to find all the sheep needed for the event. Wilson needs to make sure all the sheep are as consistent as possible, so that no athlete has an unfair advantage.
"It's one of the most important jobs in the whole event," said Wilson.
"We have plenty of sheep to choose from, all very good quality sheep, and they're very even."
The blades start flying on 8 February and will finish on 11 February at ILT Stadium in Invercargill.
Newshub.
