Records Shattered at Lumberjack World Championships

Three women set world records at the Lumberjack World Championships in Hayward, Wisconsin. The competition, featuring intense sawing, chopping, log-rolling, and speed climbing, concluded this Saturday. This year, 106 competitors, including 66 men and 40 women, participated, representing 16 states and nine countries.

Participants invest heavily in their equipment. Custom-built chain saws and meticulously sharpened axes and saws are commonplace, with single buck saw sharpening costing over $400.

Record-Breaking Performances

Karolina Urbanová from the Czech Republic achieved world records in two categories. She cut through 11 inches (27.9 centimeters) of white pine in 21.28 seconds in the Women’s Underhand Chop. She also excelled in the Women’s Standing Chop, slicing through 9 inches (22.8 centimeters) of white pine in 19.38 seconds.

“When I started chopping I was chopping with the men,” said Nancy Zalewski, a veteran competitor who has trained others, including Kate Witkowski.

Meredith Ingbretson from Hayward broke the Women’s Boom Run record. She sprinted across eight red cedar logs in 13.78 seconds.

Expanded Women’s Participation

Women’s involvement in timber sports has grown since the first competition in 1960. Initially participating only in log-rolling, women now compete in over 20 events.

Rich History and Vibrant Culture

The tradition dates back to the 1890s. Encased by Lake Hayward’s Lumberjack Bowl, the area once served as a holding area for log drives along the Namekagon River.

Lumberjack culture permeates the event, with children dressing in lumberjack socks, flannels, and suspenders. Brands distribute blow-up axes and toy chain saws, while outside the arena, wood-carving demonstrations, log-rolling trials for kids, live music, food trucks, and axe-themed activities abound.

Kate Witkowski, another competitor, reflected, “The culture of it I think is really wonderful. I don’t know any other sports where the athletes support each other like we do here because it’s such a niche sport and because the gear is so hard to come by that we’re all just trying to get better.”