By now you will have encountered the fabulous STIHL Timbersports collection in our store. If you don't follow the sport, you might find yourself wondering what the sport entails. As a forestry or maintenance, you might even consider signing up for the next event.
When Did it Start?
In 1985, STIHL Timbersports was born. Using a single forklift-mounted camera, the earliest broadcasts were made from a field in Wisconsin, USA. In the early days of this competition there was no overall Series Shampionship. Awards were given for performances in individual events at venues around the country. However, STIHL already had a vision for the championship in later years: a series that would bring talented athletes together to compete in several challenging events to determine the best overall lumberjack.
Over time the championship has evolved to an enormous event, with European athletes taking part since 2005. In the U.S. and Canada, the STIHL Timbersports Collegiate Series, involving over 60 collegiate woodsman, is a popular spin-off of the original event.
What are the Current World Records? The current record-holders for the STIHL Timbersports Series are as follows: World Records:
Springboard - 32.77 seconds, set by David Bolstad in 2000, with a wood diameter of 11"
Stock Saw - 9.445 seconds, set by Martin Komarek in 2010, with a wood diameter of 16"
Standing Block Chop - 12.11 seconds, set by Jason Wynyard in 2003, with a wood diameter of 12"
Underhand Chop - 12.28 seconds, set by David K. Bolstad in 1999, with a wood diameter of 13"
Single Buck - 9.395 seconds, set by Jason Wynyard in 2007, with a wood diameter of 19"
Hot Saw - 5.085 seconds, set by Matt Bush in 2003, with a wood diameter of 19"
Relay - 47.22 seconds, set by Australia teammates Delosa, Meyer, Argent and Head in 2015
What are the Events? Currently, the STIHL Timbersports Series is made up of the following events:
Springboard - The competitor uses two spring boards to ascend to the top of a nine-foot pole and chop a firmly attached 12" diameter block from the top of the pole. The block must be chopped from both sides.
STIHL Stock Saw - Competitors begin with both hands on the log. When the signal is given, the sawyers, using identical STIHL professional MS660 chain saws with a 20-inch bar and 33RSC3 chain, make two cuts through identical logs. No more than 4" of wood, which is marked by a black line, can be cut.
Underhand Chop - The competitor stands, feet apart, on a 12"-14" log. At the signal, he begins chopping through the log. Before chopping all the way through he must turn and complete the cut from the other side. Time ends when the log is severed completely.
Single Buck - Competitors make one cut through 18"-20" of white pine using a single man cross cut saw. The competitor may have a helper to wedge the log and keep the saw lubricated. Time ends when the block is clearly severed.
Standing Block Chop - Competitors race to chop through 12"-14" of white pine. The competitor must chop from both sides of the log and the time ends when the block is severed.
Hot Saw - In this event the competitor uses a customized chain saw with a modified engine. At the signal, the competitor starts the saw and makes three cuts. The competitor must cut no more than 6" from the log which is marked with a black line.