WORT 89.9FM Madison · Lumberjack World Championship Report
From the legends of Paul Bunyan to camp songs to the state’s reforestation efforts, the image of the lumberjack looms large in Wisconsin lore. It’s fitting, then, that the Lumberjack World Championships take place annually in Hayward, Wisconsin. The 2025 World Championships just completed this past weekend, and we turn to event manager Samantha LaSalle with an update.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 20, 2025 (Hayward, WI) – The historic Lumberjack Bowl on the shores of Lake Hayward roared with adrenaline this past weekend as more than 100 elite competitors from seven countries and 16 states came together for the 65th annual Lumberjack World Championships.
Over three days, nearly 8,000 spectators marveled as these timber sports athletes displayed their mastery across events—sawing, chopping, speed climbing, log rolling, boom running, and axe throwing—vying for over $77,000 in prize money.
The top two winners, who’s combined total scores across various disciplines, earned them the all-around championships.
This year’s competition also resulted in a new world record in the Women’s Standing Chop. Kate Witkowski (Hayward, WI) powered through the log in just 21.17 seconds.
Other notable wins include Cassidy Sheer (Minneapolis MN | USA). His title win in the Men’s Single Buck Saw adds to his numerous titles throughout his career, making him the only athlete to earn world championship titles on each of the timber sports stages: water sports, pole climb, and chopping dock.
A Full list of results can be found at: http://ptscore.live/2025-LWC/
About the Lumberjack World Championships
Founded in 1960, the annual event in Hayward, Wisconsin, celebrates the legacy of timber sports, combining heritage and athleticism. Over 21 events test competitors’ strength, agility and precision, offering cash prizes and global recognition (Wikipedia)
For additional details and comment contact the LWC Event Director Samantha LaSalle at 715-699-0712
Media for use with this press releases: photos can be found at our Facebook page. Video is in this Google Drive folder. As Please credit “Courtesy of Lumberjack World Championships”
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Hayward, WI. (June 6, 2025)
The 2025 Lumberjack World Championships® announces its full list of 103 competitors including: 46 women and 57 men from 16 states and 7 countries. These athletes of the Northwoods will compete July 16 – 19 in over twenty events including log rolling, boom running, chopping, speed climbing, axe throwing, hot saw, and springboard chop
“Our 65th Annual Competition will be one for the record books, no doubt,” said Sam LaSalle, Executive Director of the Lumberjack World Championships. “These competitors have been working for years to reach this point in their careers. It will be quite the show!”
Repeat Lumberjacks include last year’s overall champion Matthew Cogar as well as Jason Lentz and Matt Slingerland competing in various chopping and sawing events. Lumberjills include last year’s female over-all champion Erin LaVoie as well as top competitors in log rolling like 7-time World Champion Livi Pappadopolous and World Champion Ellie Davenport.
Founded in 1960, the Lumberjack World Championships has become a beloved tradition in the Wisconsin Northwoods, drawing top athletes from around the globe and tens of thousands of fans to the historic Lumberjack Bowl on the shores of Lake Hayward.
Information on each unique timber sports discipline is available at https://lumberjackworldchampionships.com/ where tickets can also be purchased.
For additional details contact the LWC Event Director Samantha LaSalle at 715-699-0712
The full list of this year’s competitors can be found here. Photos for use with this press release can be found in this Google Drive folder. Please credit “Photo Courtesy of Lumberjack World Championships”
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Hayward, WI. (May 21, 2025) –
The 65th Annual Lumberjack World Championships® is set to make history this summer in Hayward, Wisconsin, as it welcomes the largest field of female competitors the event has ever seen. In a landmark year for the storied competition, 46 professional women will take to the stage to showcase their strength, skill, and spirit in events traditionally dominated by men.
This milestone reflects a growing trend in competitive lumberjack sports, where female athletes are carving out their place and inspiring new generations. From chopping and sawing to logrolling and boom running, women will compete at elite levels in events that test balance, precision, and raw power.
“This is more than just a milestone — it’s a moment of evolution for the sport,” said Sam LaSalle, Executive Director of the Lumberjack World Championships. “We’ve watched women’s participation steadily grow over the years, and this year, the numbers speak for themselves. These athletes are powerful, precise, and deserve the spotlight.”
This record-breaking turnout of 46 competitors includes regular top performers like Livi Pappadopoulo, Erin LaVoie and Hanna Quigley as well as a field of new names like Karolina Urbanová and Andrea Hand. A full list of competitors will be released in the coming weeks.
Founded in 1960, the Lumberjack World Championships has become a beloved tradition in the Wisconsin Northwoods, drawing top athletes from around the globe and tens of thousands of fans to the historic Lumberjack Bowl on the shores of Lake Hayward. This year’s competition, scheduled for July 16-19, promises a high-energy atmosphere filled with thrilling action and meaningful milestones.
Athletes compete in a combined twenty-four events, including, logrolling, boom running, sawing, chopping, axe throwing, and speed climbing. Information on each unique timber sports discipline is available at https://lumberjackworldchampionships.com/
Tickets are now available at lumberjackworldchampionships.com
“We’re looking forward to another incredible three days of competition,” said Event Director Samantha LaSalle. “From the festival grounds experience, the food trucks, Swingin’ Axe beer garden, music from the Pinery boys, our Wednesday concert kickoff with Chris Kroeze and not to mention the amazing performance from our athletes, the Lumberjack World Championships offer an experience the whole family can enjoy.”
For additional details contact the LWC Event Director Samantha LaSalle at 715-699-0712
Photos for use with this press release can be found in this Google Drive folder. Please credit “Photo Courtesy of Lumberjack World Championships”
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Hayward, WI — Making her debut at the 2025 Lumberjack World Championships is a competitor with grit, heart, and an impressive international resume: Andrea Hand, a paramedic, mom of two, and rising star in the world of lumberjill sports.
Hailing from Kaslo, British Columbia, Andrea chopped her first underhand block in the fall of 2017 and entered her first competition the following year. With early guidance and training from fellow competitor Karl Bischoff, she quickly developed into a formidable force in the sport.
Her journey hasn’t been without setbacks. In 2022, Andrea suffered a devastating injury—breaking her right hip socket, femur head, and tailbone—which put her competition plans on hold. But her determination never wavered. After months of recovery and rehabilitation, she returned to the arena stronger than ever, racking up titles across North America and Australia.
In 2024 alone, Andrea claimed the Canadian STIHL Timbersports Women’s Championship, the Women’s Overall titles in Kaslo and Squamish, and multiple victories at the Pacific Northwest Championships, including wins in the Women’s 10-inch SB Elimination Bracket, 11-inch Underhand Chop, and the Women’s Trophy Race.
Andrea also made waves internationally, taking first place in the Underhand 275mm Handicap at both Murwillumbah (2024) and Brunswick Heads, Australia (2025). Most recently, she competed at the prestigious 2025 Sydney Royal Easter Show, one of the world’s top timber sports events. There, she placed 4th in the Women’s World Championship Underhand and Single Saw events, and earned a 3rd-place finish in the Women’s Single Saw Handicap.
When she’s not competing or working as a paramedic, Andrea can be found organizing annual logging sports events in her hometown or exploring the winter backcountry on her snowmobile. She’s also the proud mom of two—her 14-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter.
Now, with momentum on her side and her eyes on a world title, Andrea is ready to take on the biggest stage in North American lumberjack competition. This summer marks her first appearance at the Lumberjack World Championships—and she’s bringing the heat.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hayward, WI. (January 9, 2025) – Tickets for the 65th Annual Lumberjack World Championships go on sale tomorrow January 10th at 9AM. Tickets can be purchased by visiting https://www.lumberjackworldchampionships.com/
The event will take place July 17-19, 2025. The Lumberjack Run will take place on Championship Saturday morning, July 19th. This year’s event kick off entertainment is Country Singer Chris Kroeze. His concert will be held at the Lumberjack Bowl on Wednesday July 16th , 6:30P – gates opening at 5P.
“We’re looking forward to another incredible three days of competition,” said Event Director Samantha LaSalle. “From the festival grounds experience, the food trucks, Swing Axe beer garden, music from the Pinery boys, our Wednesday concert kickoff with Chris Kroeze and not to mention the amazing performance from our athletes, the Lumberjack World Championships offer an experience the whole family can enjoy.”
Lumberjack World Championships athletes compete in a combined twenty-four events, including, logrolling, boom running, sawing, chopping, axe throwing, and speed climbing. Information on each unique timber sports discipline is available at https://lumberjackworldchampionships.com/
For additional details contact the LWC Event Director Samantha LaSalle at 715-699-0712
Photos for use with this press release can be found in this Google Drive folder. Please credit “Photo Courtesy of Lumberjack World Championships”
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Hayward, WI. (October 25, 2024) – Championships Dates Due to scheduling conflicts with key competition vendors, The Lumberjack World Championships is changing the dates of the event to ensure we continue to provide the highest quality competition to athletes and spectators.
The 65th Annual Lumberjack World Championships will now take place July 17-19, 2025. The Lumberjack Run will take place on Championship Saturday morning, July 19th.
Lumberjack World Championships athletes compete in a combined twenty-four events, including, logrolling, boom running, sawing, chopping, axe throwing, and speed climbing. Information on each unique timber sports discipline is available at www.lumberjackbowl.com.
For additional details contact the LWC Event Director Samantha LaSalle at 715-699-0712