Eighty-five Duke Energy line technicians will compete in the International Lineman’s Rodeo on Oct. 14 in Bonner Springs, Kan. Tony Penley, from Mint Hill, is part of a three-man journeyman team heading to the world competition.
Penley has been a Duke Energy lineman for nearly 15 years. His wife and sons are joining him at the competition to cheer him on.
Now in its 34th year, the rodeo attracts the best linemen from around the world competing in events that test job-related skills such as simulated hurt-man rescues, equipment repair and pole climbs. Competitors are judged on speed, agility, technique and safety procedures.
All Duke Energy participants at the rodeo earned their spots by competing in regional Duke Energy competitions in 2015 and 2016. Competitors who earned a spot in 2015 were unable to participate due to Hurricane Matthew power restoration efforts.
Line technicians representing Duke Energy’s six-state service area, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, will participate in the apprentice, journeyman and senior team divisions. An apprentice is a line worker with less than four years of utility experience. A rodeo journeyman has greater than four years of utility experience, and a senior-journeyman must be over 50 years old.
The rodeo competition begins Oct. 14 at 7:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time with individual competitors and teams vying to earn the top honors.
The best line workers at Duke Energy and its legacy companies have showcased their talents at the International Lineman’s Rodeo for more than 20 years. Duke Energy line workers took home 12 awards in 2015 at the International Lineman’s Rodeo and 11 in 2014.
