Karolina Urbanova, a 24‑year‑old from a small Czech village, attended the Lumberjack World Championships in Hayward, Wisconsin, this weekend and emerged as a double world record holder. Cleanly chopping a white‑pine standing block in 19.38 seconds and slicing through 11 inches of white‑pine in an underhand chop in 21.28 seconds, she beat previous times of 21.17 seconds and 24.26 seconds respectively.
The annual event, which began in 1960, has traditionally been male dominated but has seen a surge in female participation. This year 40 women entered the Championships, a sharp rise from the handful Rosa reported when she first started. Urbanova’s neighbour introduced her to the sport, and since then she and her family have trained in a barn, carrying axes and refining technique across Europe.
Meredith Ingbretson, a native of Hayward, also broke a record, winning the Women’s Boom Run in 13.78 seconds – a sliver faster than the 13.98 second prior record. Ingbretson, who began log‑rolling at age three and now competes in seven disciplines, credits the Timber Sports collegiate program for sparking her interest in broader lumberjack events. She proudly notes that local families often host competitors from across the world in Hayward, providing lodging and training in exchange for a welcoming community spirit.
Both athletes speak of the community’s support – host families, college programs, and large‑scale competitions that bring together friends from around the globe. Prize money at the Wisconsin championships—$1,000 per category—does not cover travel costs, so many rely on host families for lodging and local sponsors for equipment. Despite financial constraints, the athletes continue to commit to year‑long training regimes—weight‑lifting, cardio, and focused axe practice—to push the boundaries of the sport.
The Lumberjack World Championships’ event director, Samantha LaSalle, notes that it was only in 2022 that the Women’s Standing Block event—what Urbanova won—was added. She added that women now compete in chopping and sawing blocks, and timings are dropping year‑after‑year, evidence of a growing competitive field. She praised the dedication of players who remain involved through life’s challenges, including motherhood, noting that the sport still thrives as more mothers log roll.
Looking ahead, both Urbanova and Ingbretson aim to break further records and secure all‑round titles. Urbanova expresses pride in her achievements while acknowledging that as the overall level of women’s lumberjack sports rises, the competition will only grow more challenging. Ingbretson, meanwhile, advertises her vision of encouraging new generations to take up the sport in schools and community centers.
