HAYWARD, Wis. (AP) — In the quaint town of Hayward, Wisconsin, the Lumberjack World Championships witnessed the breaking of three monumental women’s world records amid exhilarating events like sawing, chopping, log-rolling, and speed climbing. The cheers of “Yo-Ho!” resonated through the crowd as top competitors showcased their skills.
This annual competition drew 66 men and 40 women from 16 states and nine countries, gathering over three days in Hayward, culminating on a thrilling Saturday.
Participants came equipped for every challenge, wielding custom-built chain saws and meticulously sharpened axes. Their single buck saws, crucial for the competition, demand a sharpness that can cost over $400 to maintain.
Karolina Urbanová, representing the Czech Republic, set new world records in two categories. She claimed victory in the Women’s Underhand Chop, slicing through an 11-inch (27.9 cm) white pine in an impressive 21.28 seconds. Additionally, she triumphed in the Women’s Standing Chop by cleaving through a 9-inch (22.8 cm) white pine in just 19.38 seconds.
Local talent shone as well, with Hayward’s own Meredith Ingbretson setting a world record in the Women’s Boom Run. Her remarkable sprint across and back over eight red cedar logs was completed in a swift 13.78 seconds, further elevating the excitement of the event.
While women have been competing since the inaugural competition in 1960, the events they participate in have expanded significantly, organizers said. They started just competing in log-rolling, and now participate in more than 20 timber sports events.
“When I started chopping I was chopping with the men,” said Nancy Zalewski, a competitor for 27 years who has trained others, including fellow participant Kate Witkowski.
The tradition of competition among lumberjacks began in the 1890s, according to the organization. The competition is held in the Lumberjack Bowl on the shores of Lake Hayward. In the past, the area had been a holding pond for log drives down the Namekagon River.
The lumberjack theme is ever-present with children in lumberjack socks, flannels and suspenders, and brands handing out blow-up axes and toy chain saws. Outside the competition bowl, there are wood-carving demonstrations, log-rolling practice for kids, live music, food trucks and axe-themed events.
“The culture of it I think is really wonderful,” Witkowski said. “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.”
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