The Lumberjack World Championships concluded this past weekend in Hayward, Wisconsin, with three new women’s world records established during the three-day event. A total of 106 competitors—66 men and 40 women—participated, representing 16 states and nine countries.
Karolina Urbanová of the Czech Republic achieved two world records at the competition. She won the Women’s Underhand Chop event by cutting through 11 inches of white pine in 21.28 seconds, and also captured first place in the Women’s Standing Chop by cutting through 9 inches of white pine in 19.38 seconds. In a third record-setting performance, Meredith Ingbretson of Hayward set a world record in the Women’s Boom Run, completing the water sprint across eight red cedar logs in 13.78 seconds.
Organizers noted that women’s participation in the championships has grown substantially since the inaugural competition in 1960, when female competitors were limited to log-rolling events. Today, women participate in more than 20 timber sports competitions. Long-time competitor Nancy Zalewski, who has been involved with the event for 27 years and trained other participants, recalled that she initially competed alongside men in chopping events.
The competition, held at the Lumberjack Bowl on Lake Hayward’s shores, has roots extending back to lumberjack competitions that began in the 1890s. Participants invest significantly in specialized equipment, with custom-built chainsaws, carefully sharpened axes, and single buck saws commanding costs exceeding $400 for maintenance alone. Beyond the competition itself, the event features wood-carving demonstrations, log-rolling instruction for children, live music, food vendors, and various axe-themed activities, creating an immersive cultural experience for attendees.