MADISON, Wis. — It wasn't pretty but Dale Ryan's final cut in the Springboard still had a tint of gold.

"That had to be one of the most untidy cuts I have ever made," said Ryan. "My old man used to say, 'It don't matter if you are tidy or not; it is the one who finishes first that gets paid the most.' He was right; it feels good to get the gold."

Fatherly advice always seems to work out. But it didn't look like it would during the biggest part of the competition.

When the event began David Bolstad of Taumarunui, New Zealand was the favorite to repeat as champion. His first round of competition against Dion Lane of Massey, New Zealand was a blowout.

	Dale Ryan won the Springboard gold medal with a time of 56.03 seconds.

Bolstad finished with his block of wood so early he appeared to have enough time to head to McDonald's, eat a Big Mac and get back in time before his competition finished. He not only looked like the man to beat today, everybody knew he was.

Ryan started out the day easily eliminating his first round competition, Dave Jewett of Pittsford, New York. Ryan knifed through his block like a white shark through a small fish. The second round, though, wasn't so easy.

Ryan faced Jason Wynyard of Massey, New Zealand, who along with Bolstad, are considered the undisputed kings of the lumberjacks. And that's where the not-so pretty competition started playing a role.

Ryan labored through the round, slightly edging Wynyard and setting up the final with Bolstad. And with one king of the lumberjacks out of the way, Ryan was ready for the next.

"I'll get it done today," Ryan said after the second round.

Bolstad came into the event ranked Number One in the world. Both athletes started out fast making their tasks appear effortless, but Bolstad stumbled when he went to put his board in the second hole as he made his way up the tree. It was not a secure fit and it cost him valuable time.

Meanwhile, Ryan was having no trouble at all, he finished the round first with a time of 56.03 seconds. Bolstad could only muster a time of 59.07 seconds.

"I felt that there were only about four guys in the event who were real competition," said Bolstad. "I knew Dale would be one of them. I did not have a perfect cut or competition this time out, but if you were perfect all of the time life would not be worth living."

Stiff competition plus adequate rest equaled gold for Ryan.

"I had been touring the world in competitions for about 18 months," said Ryan. "I felt I was at peak form during that period. I had a great event at the Sidney Australia show and then I took about two months off. This is the first show I have done in two months. I feel that all of the competing I have done in the last year and a half along with that long rest paid off this time around."

That and a little bit of ugly mixed in with gold.

Final Standings - Springboard

1. Dale Ryan, Katoomba, New South Wales, Australia
2. David Bolstad, Taurmarunui, New Zealand
3. Jason Wynyard, Massey, Aukland, New Zealand
4. Matt Bush, Croghan, N.Y.
5. Carson Bosworth, Lake Geneva, Wis.
6. Dave Jewett, Pittsford, N.Y.
7. Dion Lane, Massey, Aukland, New Zealand
8. Harry Burnsworth, Mill Run, Pa.