Game of Cranes: Liebherr crowns the world’s best mobile crane operator

Five practical and theoretical tasks requiring the utmost precision, technical understanding and strong nerves awaited the crane operators at the Liebherr plant in Ehingen. Over two days, they had to calculate load capacities and rigging conditions, configure cranes and transport loads – all under the watchful eye of a strict jury. The crane operators rotated from one stage to the next: in the training centre, they had to correctly attach various loads such as concrete buckets and blocks to an indoor crane, while outside they had to manoeuvre a container – inside which pylons and a pyramid of cups had been erected – around an obstacle.

“At the next stages, the finalists calculated the wind load on a steel plate and lifted it over an obstacle using a single hook before pouring a bottle precisely into a beer glass using two hooks,” reports Michaela Gogeißl, Sales Manager Customer Training. The last two stages also required precision and concentration: The task was to pick up a 5-tonne load and guide it through an S-shaped course with simultaneous movements – lifting, luffing, turning – without bumping into the obstacles. “Last but not least, the ‘hot wire’ awaited our professionals. They had to guide a slewing ring over a pipe construction using two hooks without touching it.”

Scott White takes first place

After two days of excitement, the winner was finally announced: Scott White from City Lifting in Great Britain secured the title of “World Crane Champion” with 898 points. “It was a fantastic competition and great fun – I’m over the moon that I did it! The S-course was the biggest challenge, the hot wire was the best station,” said White happily. He has already been invited to defend his title in 2027.

The other placings:

- Second place: Joey Fisher (Johnson and Young Cranes, Australia) – 861 points, region: Australia. “It was incredible, just amazing! I was here with my wife Nicole and, to be honest, I was pretty nervous – there were so many people watching,” said the crane operator at the award ceremony.

- Third place: Kirk Smith (Titan Cranes, New Zealand) – 811 points, region: Africa/Middle East/Asia. “It was a very challenging competition – and a great experience! The sportsmanship of my fellow competitors was incredible, but I still had a few sleepless nights,” Smith smiled.

- Fourth place: Nick Jackman (Mountain Crane Service, USA) – 756 points, region: North America. “It was a great competition – very well thought out and perfectly organised. Today is not only the final of the Game of Cranes, but also Thanksgiving – and the Liebherr plant in Ehingen is the best place to celebrate,” sums up the American, who was accompanied to Ehingen by his family.

- Fifth place: Leonardo Navarro (WWN Guindastes, Brazil) – 690 points, region: South America. Navarro reports happily: “All stages of this competition required a lot of knowledge and skill. In addition to the professional organisation, which included a factory tour and the opportunity to operate the largest crane – the LR 13000 – at the crane acceptance, I enjoyed the exchange with the other crane operators!”

Performing at the highest level

Liebherr received around 200 applications from mobile crane operators from all over the world to take part in the Game of Cranes. “The performances we saw in the final were impressive. All participants demonstrated how demanding and professional crane operation is today,” says Christoph Behmüller, Head of Training and Development at Liebherr in Ehingen.