MADISON, Wis. — In the time it takes a Wisconsin Badger fan to down a brat and a beer, gold medalist Wade Stewart made it to the top of the tree and back again in the Speed Climbing event.

Equipment failures and injuries defined the outcome of the medal picture at this year's ESPN Great Outdoor Games, but there is no denying Stewart, a British Columbia native, can climb and repel a 65-foot tree with the best of them.

	Climbing favorite Brian Bartow blew out a spur at the top of his final-round climb and had to settle for the silver medal.

"I feel lucky to win the gold medal at this years games," said Stewart. "Beating Brian (Bartow) in the gold medal round is great. I just beat him in an event last week, so this makes two times in a row. I'm on a winning streak."

Bartow was cursed by the climbing spur gremlins today. While bailing out during his quarterfinal match-up one of his spurs caught in the pole, sending his body to the side and almost eliminating him from the competition. Bartow's skills and supreme body control allowed him to continue to tap his spurs in each area of the pole he needed to touch to make the climb count.

	This may have been the final climb for 50-year-old Guy German (right), who finally earned a Games medal, bronze.

During the gold medal climb the gremlins continued to harass Bartow. He passed Stewart while ascending the tree, but when he was barely inches away from touching the top mark with his rope before bailing-out his spur broke. Bartow could not reach the top, allowing Stewart to touch and bail-out to victory.

"I was surprised by what happened," said Bartow of Grants Pass Oregon. "I was close to the line at the top and as I extended my rope a spur popped off. I couldn't touch the line.

"I could not have lost to a better climber."

There was no battle for the bronze since Guy German of Columbus, Neb., had a solo climb today. His competition for the bronze, Brian Linville of Ketchikan, Alaska was injured in his semifinal match against Stewart and could not compete.

In fact, Linville was beating Stewart for part of their match, but Stewart's superior bailout skills took Linville, who was injured on his bailout. Linville walked off under his own power to roaring applause from the capacity crowd.

Emotions were high for the 50-year-old bronze medalist German.

"It took me five years to get to the final four of speed climbing at the Games," said German. "It is very emotional for me to make it here. I would have preferred to beat Brian for the medal because I think he is the better man, but I will take the medal."

German is no stranger to solo climbs. In 1988 he set a record for speed climbing a 100-foot pole. The record still stands today.

This may be the swan song for German, though, who is credited for developing the climbing spurs used by climbers today.

"I believe this will be my last climb," said German. "Maybe if I get a major sponsor who will pay all the bills so I can train for six months straight and not have to work I may come back, but this will probably be my last climb."

With Stewart's victory he is now a two-time gold medalist in Speed Climbing at the Great Outdoor Games. His first victory came back in 2000.

Speed Climbing Final Standings

1 WADE STEWART
2 BRIAN BARTOW
3 GUY GERMAN
4 BRIAN LINVILLE
5 SEAN DUFFY
6 BRYAN SCHULZ
7 DUSTIN BECKWITH
8 CASSIDY SCHEER

Results (By Round)

Final Round
Wade Stewart 13.171 def Brian Bartow 27.228

Consolation Round
Guy German 16.385 def Brian Linville 4:00.000

Semi-Final Round
Brian Bartow 14.285 def Guy German 18.414
Wade Stewart 13.820 def Brian Linville 13.985

Quarter-Final Round
Brian Bartow 14.216 def Dustin Beckwith 19.228
Guy German 16.185 def Bryan Schulz 16.857
Wade Stewart 13.928 def Sean Duffy 15.420
Brian Linville 15.725 def Cassidy Scheer 29.842