Updated: June 10, 2009, 1:38 PM ET
STIHL TIMBERSPORTS events
STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Drawing Board - Underhand Chop
The competitor stands with feet apart on a 12- to 14-inch white pine log. At the signal, he begins to chop through the log with his racing ax. 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. The challenge in this event is precision as well as the location of the cuts. A competitor uses a variety of cutting patterns and varies the number of cuts based on skill level and wood conditions. This can be one of the more dangerous disciplines because a competitor is swinging a razor-sharp racing ax at approximately 70 mph between his feet. Jason Wynyard set the record using white pine in the underhand chop discipline at 12.11 seconds in 2003. This event also requires the competitor to wear special protective gear.
