Hot Saw
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Extremely loud and lasting no more than 10 seconds, the hot saw competition features 10 competitors using modified engines on their chainsaws in an attempt to make the fastest three cuts in a 20-inch log.
Power, control and precision all play an equal part in posting a strong time in the hot saw competition. These modified chainsaws can weigh up to 80 pounds apiece and rev at extremely high RPMs. If you've got the power to hoist the saw, you now need to control the saw well enough to cut three complete discs of wood from a log.
The 2002 Hot Saw competition saw Mike Sullivan, of Winstead, Conn., make a come from behind surge at gold. But for a guy who just barely got started, Mike Sullivan made a fantastic exit.
Seeded last after barely escaping the preliminaries in the Hot Saw competition, Sullivan turned in three of the four fastest times of the rest of the tournament and defeated Gaston Duperre, of Shipshaw, Quebec, in the finals for the gold medal.
Sullivan had placed seventh in the event the last two years. The medal was his first in his eighth ESPN Great Outdoor Games event. The 42-year-old arborist won with consistency as much as speed. His 6.15 seconds in the finals was the second-fastest time of the afternoon, just behind his 6.11 in his semifinal win over Mel Lentz.
This perennial crowd favorite will be loud and lightning fast again this summer at the Great Outdoor Games in Reno, Nev.
Qualifying Criteria
Athletes have been selected for competition in the Great Outdoor Games based on their rankings in the respective disciplines. The top three winners from each of last year's timber events will receive automatic invitations, with the exception of the Team Relay and the Mixed Doubles Boom Run.
Timber athletes are ranked by the Lumberjack Sports World Ranking Association. Rankings are determined by the average of points assigned by regional committee representatives.
Timber terms
Birling
Log rolling
Boom
A long string of logs that are connected end to end, for easy storage & transportation.
Buck
To cut a fallen tree into smaller sections.
Cookie
The section of wood that is severed during crosscut or power sawing events.
Cut-out
To cut over the line marked on wood by the judge that indicates the width of wood to be sawed within.
Drive
Last portion of a chopping event when the axeman places his most powerful hits to severe the block. "he's going for the drive."
Drivers
Power hits in any chopping event used to severe the wood.
Jigger
a slang term (Australia & New Zealand) c meaning "up & down."
M Tooth
Saw with a distinctive pattern of its teeth forming an "M". Each tooth acts as a cutter & raker, with every other tooth reversed, so that both sides of the groove are cut. The chips produced are small & confetti-like. An M Tooth is very efficient in hard woods.
Peg & Raker
A saw with teeth that appear in two "pegs" which cut alternate sides of the groove, a "raker" rakes the cut wood out in long, single strands. With this saw, a single cut can run the entire diameter of the wood.
Pike
Pole used in the River drive competition
Pockets
Holes cut into springboard poles into which the springboard itself is inserted. A good pocket is cut in 4 hits.
River pig
A logger who runs out into jammed logs to open the flow of timber. Also used synonymously for a "river driver" competition.
Scarf
In chopping events, the portion of wood that has been removed from the block.
Slab
A portion of the log, which has been dislodged as a result of a split off to a foothold or running up, of the first chip in the standing event. May result in disqualification. Note: competitors prepare their competition blocks by using "slab nail" around the edges to prevent.
Slide-chop
Technique used primarily by Australian axemen where the top hand slides toward the axe head after the stroke as the competitor raises the ace for the next swing.
Wedger
Assistant used in the cross-cut sawing events who wedges the wood open & lubricates the saw.
