ع
The Associated Press reported that three women’s world records were set at the annual Lumberjack World Championships, which took place July 17-19 in Hayward, Wisconsin. Karolina Urbanova from the Czech Republic claimed two of the marks by cutting through 11 inches of white pine in the underhand chop in 21.28 seconds. She also set the standing block chop record with a time of 19.38 seconds on a 9-inch white pine log. The previous records stood at 24.26 seconds and 21.17 seconds respectively according to event officials cited by both the Associated Press and BBC News.
Meredith Ingbretson, a Hayward native, broke the women’s boom run record by sprinting across and back over eight red cedar logs in 13.78 seconds. The Associated Press noted that this improved on the prior mark of 13.98 seconds. Ingbretson has competed in the event for nearly three decades after beginning with logrolling at age three. She also participates in multiple disciplines including sawing according to coverage by BBC News.
Organizers of the Lumberjack World Championships told the Associated Press that 40 women and 66 men from 16 states and nine countries took part in the three-day competition this year. The tradition of lumberjack competitions dates back to the 1890s with formal championships starting in 1960. Women initially competed only in logrolling but now take part in more than 20 timber sports events the organizers stated.
BBC News reported that the number of female competitors has more than trebled over the past 30 years. A May 2025 announcement on the official Lumberjack World Championships website described this year’s field as the largest for women in the event’s 65-year history. The STIHL Timbersports database places American Lauren Bergman at the top of the current international women’s ranking with a combined time of 1:34.26 from the 2026 North American Women’s Cup.
Karolina Urbanova told BBC News “Telling people from the city that you are chopping wood usually every day they looked weird at me.” She added “It makes me different so it is what it is.” Urbanova who is 24 began training after a neighbor spotted her talent and she now competes across Europe while training weekly in a barn. She stayed with a host family during the Hayward event the report noted.
Meredith Ingbretson described the sport’s community to BBC News saying “I think that’s something special you can go somewhere and they’ll let you stay and train you and work with you.” She continued “It’s a very welcoming and open community. It’s just so fun to be a part of.” Ingbretson has hosted international athletes herself and aims to excel across several disciplines while the event offers prizes of around 1000 dollars that rarely cover full expenses according to the coverage.
The growth in women’s participation has been supported by increased visibility through social media and college programs according to accounts in both the Associated Press and BBC News. Athletes train year-round with weights jogging cardio and specific axe skills. Future goals for competitors like Urbanova include the all-round title while the sport continues to draw participants from beyond traditional timber regions.
