Three new women's world records were established at the annual Lumberjack World Championships in Hayward, Wisconsin, which concluded Saturday. The three-day competition featured events such as sawing, chopping, log-rolling, and speed climbing, drawing 66 men and 40 women from 16 states and nine countries.
Karolina Urbanová of the Czech Republic set two world records. She won the Women's Underhand Chop, slicing through 11 inches of white pine in 21.28 seconds. Urbanová also secured first place in the Women's Standing Chop, cutting through 9 inches of white pine in 19.38 seconds.
Meredith Ingbretson, a local competitor from Hayward, set a world record in the Women's Boom Run, completing the course across eight red cedar logs in 13.78 seconds.
While women have competed in the championships since its inception in 1960, the number of events available to them has expanded significantly, according to organizers. Initially, women only competed in log-rolling, but now participate in over 20 timber sports events.
Competitors are known to invest heavily in their gear, utilizing custom-built chain saws and sharpened axes. Single buck saws alone can cost upwards of $400 for sharpening.
The tradition of lumberjack competitions dates back to the 1890s. The Lumberjack Bowl, the venue for the championships, is situated on the shores of Lake Hayward and was historically used as a holding pond for log drives down the Namekagon River.
The event fosters a strong sense of community among participants. "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," said Kate Witkowski, a competitor. The atmosphere of the championships is evident beyond the competition arena, with children dressed in lumberjack attire and various vendors offering axe-themed merchandise and activities. The event also includes wood-carving demonstrations, log-rolling practice for children, and live music.