The Andrew Haulage digger operator notched up his second CCNZ CablePrice National Excavator Operator Competition title at the Central Districts Field Days in Feilding on Saturday, following two days of intense competition.
However, the second title came only after first fatherhood in 2019, then last year the global Covid-19 pandemic, interrupted his immediate ambitions to add to his 2018 champion’s trophy.
Victory further hung in the balance after a less than stellar first-day performance on Friday.
But after that shaky start, when he missed slam-dunking a basketball into a concrete pipe, Calteaux pulled off a near-flawless performance on day two.
Eventual third-place taker Ben Jones, of Wellington, led the field by a significant margin after the initial day of competition, but the Otago man’s class eventually shone through.
Calteaux said the second title ‘‘meant a lot’’.
‘‘I feel a bit like I was born for it. My dad brought me up on and around excavators. It’s always been a pretty big part of my life.
"It was really hard for me not being there to defend the title [in 2019], so to take it back is a big thing. I’ll be back to defend the title next year for sure."
Organised by national association Civil Contractors New Zealand (CCNZ), the competition involved 12 regional champions using 13-tonne Hitachi ZX-130 and smaller ZX55-U excavators to complete challenges ranging from pouring a cup of tea, to on-the-job tasks such as precision-trenching and first aid.
CCNZ chief executive Peter Silcock congratulated Calteaux on his victory.
"Troy is an exceptional operator and a worthy champion. He has proven himself time and again at the top level, and his skill, spirit and determination give him a real edge."
Waikato champion Mike Bowe, of Bowe Brothers Excavating, was this year’s runner-up.
Brendon Ferguson, of Fulton Hogan Southland, won the One-day Job Challenge.
