Oh, brother.

The journey to the podium began long before they were lineworkers. Daniel and Eric Hardisty have been competing with and against each other since they were kids. For them, the lineman brotherhood runs as deep as blood.

“We grew up really competitive and we always wanted to be better than each other,” said older brother Daniel Hardisty. “Now we’re competing together.”

This is the pair’s second time competing at Southern California Edison’s annual Lineman’s Rodeo where teams showcase their skills in events such as the Hurt Man Rescue, Pole Climb, 16 kV Transformer Changeout and a mystery event revealed the day of the competition. A third teammate, apprentice Dillon Firpo, is ready to help the team reach the top. Teams are scored on their ability to finish each event as quickly and as safely as possible.

Competition is fierce. A total of 31 journeyman teams are competing, along with 52 apprentices.

The Hardisty brothers have never worked on the same crew, they work in vastly different regions and don’t get to practice together. Yet, they eased their way to the top of the leaderboard last year, qualifying for the International Lineman’s Rodeo in Overland Park, Kansas, where teams from across the world showcase their skills.

“We don’t need to communicate as much, I feel like he’s already going to know what I want to do before I say anything,” said Eric. “It’s a brother thing.”

That brotherly bond got them to Kansas, but an unexpected sickness kept them from competing together. With Daniel out sick, they needed to use a substitute. That trip ultimately ended in a loss and they’re hoping for a second chance.

“I’m kind of looking at this as my opportunity for redemption,” said Daniel. I just want us to do well enough that I get that chance to compete in Kansas.”

“We don’t need to win, we just want to run clean and qualify for the international rodeo,” added Eric. “That would be a win for us.”

It’s a trip the whole family wants in on. Their parents have already promised to be by their side, cheering them on if they make it to Kansas.

“It makes my heart so full watching them grow up together and now watching them work together — I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” said their father, David Hardisty.

After a long day of competition, Eric and Daniel’s team finished seventh overall — with four teams of perfect scores ahead of them. Only the top six advanced to Kansas.

It’s a heartbreaking finish.

But defeat won’t hold them down. The desire for redemption is now felt more than ever. The brothers will be back. And next year, it’s their chance at that perfect score.

The whole family plans to be right by their side, cheering them on.