Numazu City, Japan – WorldSkills Calgary 2009 unveiled its two official mascots today at the 39th WorldSkills Competition in Numazu City, 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 international competition that Calgary will host in September 2009."

Names for the male and female horses were selected through a province-wide 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 will be part of the WorldSkills 2007 Closing Ceremonies to be held on Wednesday, November 21, 2007.

WorldSkills is an international competition in which more than 850 apprentices 22 years of age or younger compete in challenge their skills in the trades and technology. Over 900 competitors from 49 countries will be participating in Calgary in 2009.