WorldSkills Calgary 2009 unveils official mascots

WorldSkills Calgary 2009 unveiled its two official mascots on November 17, 2007, at the 39th WorldSkills Competition in Shizuoka, Japan.

Two Clydesdale horses, named Tug and Tess, have been selected as the WorldSkills Calgary 2009 mascots. Clydesdale horses were chosen as symbols for WorldSkills Calgary 2009 because the horses are known for their hard work and dedication to duty.

"We are thrilled with Tug and Tess as official mascots for WorldSkills Calgary," says Kerry Moynihan, Vice President External. "Tug and Tess will be used in a fun way to bring awareness to skilled trades and technology as well as the WorldSkills Competition that Calgary will host in September 2009."

Names for the male and female horses were selected through a province-wide (Alberta, Canada) contest. A total of 275 entries were received and the winning entry was for the names Tug and Tess, submitted by Brenda Perry, a resident of High Prairie, Alberta.

For submitting the winning entry Brenda will receive a Samsung flat screen television and a package of Makita power tools provided by Calgary Fasteners and Tools.

As official mascots of WorldSkills Calgary 2009, Tug and Tess took part in the WorldSkills Competition Closing Ceremony that was held on Wednesday, November 21, 2007.

Over 900 competitors from 49 countries are anticipated to participate in the 40^th WorldSkills Competition in Calgary in September 2009.

For more information please contact: Kerry T. Moynihan, WorldSkills Calgary 2009: kerry.moynihan@worldskills2009.com.