Auto Glass Technicians Volley for Title of 'World's Best' Auto Glass Technician in North American Competition

LAS VEGAS, Nev., Nov. 13, 2007 -- Twenty-four of the best auto glass technicians gathered for the third annual Auto Glass Technician Competition (the "Olympics" of auto glass replacement), held November 2-3, 2007 in Las Vegas and three emerged victorious. Jason Horne of Cindy Rowe Auto Glass, Harrisburg, PA., has won the gold medal first place, Aaron Thrasher of Diamond Glass Company in San Diego, CA placed second and Matt Thompson of Royal Auto Glass in Laurel, MD took third.

Horne was awarded a $5,000 cash prize, gold medal, large trophy and the coveted title of "World's Best Auto Glass Technician." Thrasher and Thompson received cash prizes as well as silver and bronze medals respectively. The event is co-sponsored by Auto Glass Repair and Replacement (AGRR) magazine, the largest auto glass magazine in the world and the Independent Glass Association.

The Auto Glass Technician Olympics is a highly competitive, two-day competition that requires contestants to compete against other technicians from around the continent. During the event, each competitor installs a windshield on a car in accordance with the industry's Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards Council (AGRSS) Standard. Competitors demonstrate their skills 'live' in front of an audience and the scrutiny of the four event judges. After completing a full windshield replacement in the preliminary round, four finalists went on to remove and reinstall a backlite.

Scoring was based on the AGRSS Standard and comprised of 10 sections. Those sections provided in-depth detail into each step a technician would take in a standard replacement installation. Each technician started with a perfect score of 250 points. Judges then deducted points when technicians missed steps, safety items or techniques.

The contestants were all of varying skill and years experience. Horne, the first place winner, is 37 years of age and holds 19 years in the replacement industry; certainly enough to place him at the top of his field.

"We were so pleased to see the professionalism of the winners," stated Holly Biller, event director. "The entire competition is about education and having the technicians learn from one another as well as educate the common consumer. Our winners were a prime example of these ideals," said Biller.

For more information, visit www.autoglassolympics.com.

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