The Lumberjack World Championships are held annually in Hayward, Wisconsin. The three-day event began in 1960 and is held at the Lumberjack Bowl in front of an estimated 12,000 spectators. There are 21 events for both men and women to compete for over $75,000 in prize money. Contestants come from a wide variety of countries including Canada, Ireland, Australia, Czech Republic, Japan, Belgium, New Zealand, and the United States (with over 30 states being represented each year). The events include sawing, chopping, logrolling, and climbing to test the strength and agility of over 100 competitors.
The excitement of the 2024 competition finals was interrupted by a strong thunderstorm, the first in the 64 year history of the event. The thrilling finals were successfully continued the following morning with all contestants and majority of the crowd returning.
The 65th annual Lumberjack World Championships are scheduled to take place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, July 17th, 18th, and 19th, with the finals being held on Saturday afternoon, July 19th.
Competitors saw through a 16-inch-diameter (410mm) white pine log for the fastest time. A starting cut arc is allowed in the competition. Timing begins when the signal "GO" is called and ends when the log is completely severed.
The world record, with a time of 11.43 seconds, was set in 2017 by Nancy Zalewski.
Women's underhand chop
Using a single bit pinned ax, competitors chop through a horizontal aspen log, 11 inches (280mm) in diameter, and 15–28 inches (380–710mm) long, for the fastest time.
Nancy Zalewski set a time of 29.24 seconds in 2009, Amanda Beams grabbed the record with a time of 26.23 seconds in 2017, and Stephanie Naud claimed the underhand chop record in 2022.
Women's log rolling
Opponents step onto a floating log, cuff it to start the roll, spin it rapidly in the water with their feet, stop or snub it suddenly by digging into the log with special caulked birling shoes and a reverse motion to maneuver their adversaries off balance and into the water, a feat called 'wetting'. Dislodging an opponent constitutes a fall. The cardinal rule of logrolling is 'never take your eyes off your opponent's feet'. The referee starts each match. Competing birlers step off a dock onto a floating log, grasping pike poles held by attendants for balance. As they push off from the dock, the referee instructs the birlers to steady the log. When he is certain both birlers have equal control, he says, 'Throw your poles'. The match is on and continues to a fall or to expiration of the time limit set for each log. When the time limit is reached, the same match continues onto the next smaller log. In all rounds, the contest is decided by the best three out of five falls. Women start on 14-inch (360mm) logs.
In 2003 Tina Bosworth set a new world record of 10 wins. Judy Scheer Hoeschler held the title seven times, and Livi Papadopoulos has won six consecutive times.
Women's boom run
Starting on the log-rolling dock, two competitors run head to head on adjacent booms. Each competitor must step off the logrolling dock, running across a chain of logrolling logs to the chopping dock, circling a specified competition station and cross the pond on the boom logs back to the logrolling dock. The competitor must step onto the logrolling dock and touch the starting point. This is a timed event and is timed to the tenths of a second. Anyone leaving before the word "go" will be assessed a 10-second penalty.
Abby Hoeschler ran a record 13.98 in 2011.
Jill and Jill
A bucking contest where teams of two women compete against one another for the best time in cutting through a 20-inch (510mm) white pine log. Starting cuts of no more than 1⁄2-inch (13mm) deep, in order to set the teeth of the saw, are allowed. Timing starts on the signal "go" and ends when the block is severed. Logs must be cut completely through.
The world record for the Jill and Jill competition was set in 2017 by Sephanie Naud and Janet Walker with a time of 9:81 seconds.
Men's events
Underhand block chop
Using a five-pound single-bit axe, competitors chop through a horizontal aspen log 12 inches (300mm) in diameter and 28 inches (710mm) long. Timing begins on the signal "go" and ends when the log is severed.
A new world record was set in 2006 by Jason Wynyard with a time of 15.94.
In 2007, competitors moved from the underhand chop to the standing block chop for one continuous timed event known as the endurance event.
Standing block chop
Using a five-pound single-bit axe, competitors chop through a vertical standing aspen log 12 inches (300mm) in diameter and 28 inches (710mm) long. Timing begins on the "go" signal and ends when the log is severed. This event was combined with the men's underhand chop as the endurance or combination event in 2007. Competitors moved from the underhand chop to the standing block chop for one continuous timed event.
The world record for the standing block chop is 12.33 seconds set by Jason Wynyard from New Zealand in 2007.
Springboard chop
This event combines the skills of the chopper and the high climber. Out in the forest this technique enables a working lumberjack to reach softer wood above the tough and knotty base of a tree marked for cutting. Contestants climb a height of nine feet using two springboard placements and chop through a 12-inch-diameter (300mm) aspen log mounted on the top of the spar pole.
Dave Bolstad set a new world record of 41.15 in 2003 besting his previous world record time of 41.63 in 2001.
Single buck
A single sawyer uses a one-man bucking saw to cut through a 20-inch-diameter (510mm) white pine log for the best time.
Dion Lane set a new world record in 2006 with a time of 10.78 seconds.
A single sawyer using a single-cylinder, single-motor power saw makes three vertical cuts—down, up and down—through a 20-inch-diameter (510mm) white pine log. This one-man contest is strictly against time. Chain saws may be warmed up prior to the contest, but must be turned off before the contest begins. Neither self-starting nor impulse-type push button starters nor twin motors are allowed. A starter gives the countdown and on the signal "go", competitors start their saws and make the three cuts. The contest ends when the third slice is severed. All cuts must be complete.
Dave Bolstad of New Zealand holds the world record with a time of 5.55 seconds set in 2007.
Speed climbing
60-foot speed climb
Competitor scales a 60-foot-tall (18m)cedar spar pole and returns to the ground. Contestants perform on twin spar poles and they must climb within 240 degrees of the sparring pole, as marked. Event is strictly against time and begins when the signal "go" is given and ends when the contestant touches the ground after climbing to the 60-foot mark. At the starting signal, contestants must have one foot on the ground and the other foot below the orange line as marked on the sparring pole. The contestant must touch the pole every 15 feet on the descent. The two climbers use spurred climbers and steel-core climbing ropes to scale the spar poles. Only traditional spurs are allowed.
Brian Bartow of Grants Pass, Oregon holds the world record of 12.28 seconds, set in 2012.
90-foot speed climb
Contestant scales a 90-foot-tall (27m) cedar spar pole and returns to the ground against time. Contestants compete on twin spar poles. Contestant must climb within the front 240 degrees of the sparring pole, as marked. Timing begins on the signal "go" and ends when the contestant touches the ground after ringing one of the two bells on top of the spar pole. At the starting signal, contestants must have one foot on the ground and the other foot below the orange line as marked on the sparring pole. On the descent climbers are required to touch inside each section. Contestants use spurred climbers and steel-core climbing ropes to scale the spar poles.
In this climb, Stirling Hart of Vancouver, Cananda holds the world record with a time of 18.30, set in 2013.
Logrolling (birling)
Logrolling (Birling) Competition
In competition, opponents step onto a floating log, cuff it to start the roll, spin it rapidly in the water with their feet, stop or snub it suddenly by digging into the log with special caulked birling shoes and a reverse motion to maneuver their adversaries off balance and into the water, a feat called 'wetting'. Dislodging an opponent constitutes a fall. The cardinal rule of logrolling is 'never take your eyes off your opponent's feet'. The referee starts each match. Competing birlers step off a dock onto a floating log, grasping pike poles held by attendants for balance. As they push off from the dock, the referee instructs the birlers to steady the log. When he is certain both birlers have equal control, he says, 'Throw your poles'. The match is on and continues to a fall or to expiration of the time limit set for each log. When the time limit is reached, the same match continues onto the next smaller log. In the semi-finals and the finals, the contest is decided by the best three out of five falls. Men start on 15-inch (380mm) logs.
Both Jubiel Wickheim of Sooke, British Columbia (1969) and JR Salzman of Wisconsin (2015) have each held the title 10 times.
Men's Boom run
Starting on the log-rolling dock, two competitors run head to head on adjacent booms. Each competitor must step off the logrolling dock, running across a chain of logrolling logs to the chopping dock, circling a specified competition station and cross the pond on the boom logs back to the logrolling dock. The competitor must step onto the logrolling dock and touch the starting point. This is a timed event and is timed to the tenths of a second. Anyone leaving before the word "go" will be assessed a 10-second penalty.
Will Hoeschler set a record of 12:26 in 2011.
Team events
Jack and Jill competition
Jack and Jill
A bucking contests where a man and woman, or two women, compete for the best time to cut through a 20-inch (510mm) white pine log. Starting cuts of no more than 1⁄2-inch (13mm) deep, in order to set the teeth of the saw, are allowed. Timing starts on the signal "go" and ends when the block is severed. Logs must be cut completely through.
The world record for the Jack and Jill event was set in 2010 by Dave Jewett and Lindsay Daun with a time of 6.00 seconds.
Double buck
Two sawyers working as a team use a two-man bucking saw to cut through a 20-inch-diameter (510mm) white pine log. Double buck team consists of two men. A starting cut arc is allowed. Timing begins for both competitions when the signal to "go" is called, and ends when the log is completely severed.
Jason Wynyard and Dion Lane hold the world record with a time of 4.77 seconds set in 2005.
Team relay
In this timed event there are two teams competing. Each team consist of a 60-foot climber, 2 boom runners (1 male, 1 female), a hot sawyer, a women's single buck sawyer and a standing block chopper. First a climber must climb and descend the 60-foot pole, when their feet touch the pad it is the signal for the male boom runner stationed on the chopping dock to run the logs to the logrolling dock; when he touches the dock it is then the female boom runner's turn to run the logs over to the chopping dock, once touching there the hot saws then cut through a 20-inch (510mm) log and when the log drops the women commence the single buck, with the standing block chop the anchor event in this relay. Whichever team finishes first with the best time is the winner of the event. This event is the combination of the best of all the lumberjack skills: power, strength and sheer determination.
Awards
All-Around Lady Jill
The All-Around Lady Jill Champion is awarded each year to the Lumber Jill who scores the most points. The key to the All-Around title is endurance and the ability to compete in as many events as possible. The top contestants in every event receive points each day of the competition, making it important to make it through early qualifying rounds in as many events as possible. Points are given each day for the top six places in each event, with a first place being awarded 6 points, second 5 points and so on. Logrollers will receive triple points for their final placement. This is because the final standings are the only opportunity for logrollers to earn points.
The 2024 Women's All-Around events and winners are: underhand chop (Kelly Kerrigan of Connecticut), single buck (Lauren Bergman of Montana), Jack and Jill (Tina Scheer of Maine), logrolling (Emily Christopherson of Wisconsin) and boom run. The standing block was won by Amanda Beams from Tasmania, Australia and Jill & Jill going to Laura Helmich of Indiana and Sarah Gollnich of Wisconsin.
The 2024 Women's All-Around Lady Jill was awarded to Erin LaVoie of Washington State, with second and third slots going to Martha King of Pennsylvania and Kate Wittcowski of Wisconsin, both with very strong performances.
Tony Wise All-Around Champion
The Tony Wise All-Around Champion, named after the founder of the Lumberjack World Championships, is awarded each year to the lumberjack who scores the most points. The key to the All-Around title is endurance and the ability to compete in as many events as possible. The top contestants in every event receive points each day of competition, making it important to make it through early qualifying rounds in as many events as possible. Points are given each day for the top six places in each event, with a first place being awarded 6 points, second 5 points and so on. There are two exceptions to this. Due to the nature of the springboard chop and logrolling, the all-around points for these two events will be scored differently. For the springboard, the sixth fastest competitors from Friday's and Saturday's heats receive double the points. This is because springboard competitors only get one opportunity to earn all-around points. 5th and 6th placements are awarded triple points for their final placement. This is because the final standings are the only opportunity for logrollers to earn points.
The 2024 Tony Wise All-Around events and winners are: underhand chop (Dale Beams of Australia), standing chop (Matyas Klima of Czech Republic), springboard chop (Adam Lethco of Tennessee), double buck (Logan Scarborough of North Carolina and Adam Lethco of Tennessee), single buck (Adam LaSalle of Wisconsin), hot saw (Ben Marshall of New York), Jack & Jill (Mark Bouquin of New York), logrolling (Thomas Mengwasser of Wisconsin), boom run (Marcel Scott of Nova Scotia, Canada), 60-foot climb (Ben Whelan of Minnesota) and 90-foot climb (Caleb Graves of Tennessee).
The 2024 Tony Wise Men's All-Around Lumberjack was awarded to Matt Cogar of West Virginia, with Jason Lentz, also of West Virginia, and Matt Slingerland of North Carolina following close behind.
Sponsors
Sponsors for the Lumberjack World Championships have been numerous over the years and include Zeilies, Enbridge, Future Wood, Decked, and Wisconsin Lottery, among various other companies such as Stihl, Plum Creek Timber, and SBI Pepsi. Regional and local businesses and local radio stations have or do participate each year as well and all sponsorships can readily be found at the official homepage of lumberjackworldchampionships.com.
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References
↑ Anderson, Holly (28 October 2015). "Blades of Glory". Grantland. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
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