Another Contender?

Is Stefan the fastest window cleaner in the world?

IT'S taken 24 years washing to polish his skills to perfection, and now Stefan Tinkler is aiming to be the fastest window cleaner on the planet. Mr Tinkler wants to wipe away all competition when he attempts to wash three large panes of glass in the quickest time at the ISSA Windowclean 2008 championship, which is held in Amsterdam on May 6. The father-of-two, who lives in Barber Close, Stanground, Peterborough, already holds the title of the slickest window cleaner in the UK after winning the national championship in Coventry last month. To get the illustrious title, the 36-year-old managed to wipe the three panes, measuring 45ins by 45ins, in just over 17 seconds. However, Mr Tinkler knows he can go faster. He said: "The audience made me a bit nervous, if the truth be told. I reckon I can do it in 10 or 11 seconds. "The current world record is held by Terry "Turbo" Burrows, as he is known within the trade. Set in England in 2005, his record stands at an impressive 9.24 seconds. Time penalties are deducted for any water marks left on the glass and contestants are limited to a maximum squeegee size of 12ins. To make sure he is prime condition for his trip to Holland, Mr Tinkler is busy practicing on his purpose-made windows which stand in his garden. He said: "Space is a bit tight, but I've managed to put up two panes so far. "We want to move into a new industrial unit soon, and I hope to put up three panes in that one. "Mr Tinkler, who runs 'All Clear Without a Smear' with colleague Peter Rootham, said he has washed windows all over Peterborough since he started aged 13 helping his grandad out on his round. And through the years there have been times when he has had a lucky escape after tumbling from his ladders. He added: "I have usually landed on my feet. The worst that has happened is that I winded myself. Once I fell off a roof backwards, though, and my head hit the soil about half-a-foot from a tree stump sticking out of the ground. Another 6ins and that would have gone through my head. "As well as domestic and commercial premises, the firm has at least one special client – Peterborough Cathedral.Mr Tinkler added: "We don't do the stained glass windows, because they need specialist care, but we do the entrance doors, and all the outside buildings such as the Deanery and restaurant."

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