We love talking with athletes about their passion, what drives them to their designated sport and what we should keep an eye out for in terms of their next competition! Today, we caught up with Erin LaVoie who has been a master of her craft as a lumberjill! We wanted to know how this World Champion, Guinness World Record Holder, and CrossFit athlete got into the sport, how she approaches it and her upcoming competitions!
ATHLEISURE MAG: You have been an athlete for years, as you were a gymnast in high school and competed in CrossFit. What was it about those sports that you enjoyed competing in?
ERIN LAVOIE: I just like to be active and to see what I am capable of. I am also very competitive by nature. I’ve always wanted to learn new things and be the best I can be in it - then of course be better than everybody else as well.
AM: Before we delve into your upcoming competition, what is a lumberjill and what does it involve in terms of what areas you compete in?
EL: I compete in lumberjack sports. Chopping / Sawing / Logrolling / etc.
AM: How did you get interested in timbersports?
EL: I went to school for Forestry. They had a team that competed down the hallway from my classes. I saw the practices and just walked in one day. After that, I was off to the races.
AM: When is the timbersports season?
EL: It can be year-round if you travel the world. The US season is generally from April into October.
AM: What attracted you to this sport?
EL: It was a challenge, and it was new. I also had a lot of success early on - which helped me love it and keep at it.
AM: How do you train to optimize yourself in this sport?
EL: I do CrossFit to keep fit and healthy. And I train the events as much as possible - both in the backyard and in competition.
AM: You won the 2023 STIHL TIMBERSPORTS International Women Cup. How did you prepare and what does it mean to you that you achieved the fastest time in 2 of the 3 disciplines and a new world record in the Underhand Chop?
EL: I practiced and kept myself healthy leading up to it. Lots of water, sleep, focus. And what it means to me - is that my work paid off and I did my job correctly.
AM: When training, is there a specific wood or kind of axe that you like to use? How do you prepare to cut wood – do you have to get your own wood?
EL: I do have to get my own wood - and it’s tough. The toughest part of this sport is all the preparations of getting wood and keeping your equipment ready. My axes come from Tuatahi. I will use Aspen and Cottonwood for training as they are the easiest to get. Most competitions use White Pine.
AM: You have a competition coming up this month, tell me more about this and what you are looking forward to?
EL: There are 2 Championships this month, with the U.S. Women’s Championship coming up on July 28. I am looking forward to hanging onto my titles - and having more opportunities to beat the top times.
AM: You're on Team USA as well as being a 3X "Iron Jill" World Champion. You have 2 medals at the ESPN Great Outdoor Games and a record in the Guinness Book of World Records for felling the most Christmas trees in 2 minutes! What does it mean to see your accomplishments in this sport?
EL: It means my sacrifices paid off and I did my job.
PHOTO CREDIT | STIHL TIMBERSPORTS