At the Stihl Timbersports Canadian Championships, Andrea Hand made history with her exceptional performance in the underhand chop competition. Host Ryan McIntyre expressed excitement as Hand’s axe effortlessly sliced through the cottonwood block, completing the task in a remarkable 21.65 seconds. Speculation arose whether Hand had achieved a new world record for women’s underhand chop, a feat confirmed by judges amid eager anticipation from the audience.
Hand’s record-breaking performance surpassed the previous record set by American athlete Erin Lavoie earlier in the year. This victory marked Hand’s second consecutive win of the Pro Women’s Championship at the event. Hailing from Kaslo, a small village in British Columbia’s West Kootenay region, the 40-year-old is dedicated to training for timbersports competitions, focusing on disciplines like underhand chop, standing block chop, single buck, and stock saw.
With deep family ties to the forestry industry, Hand’s background influenced her passion for logger sports. Despite pursuing a career as a paramedic instead of working in forestry, her exposure to logging activities inspired her involvement in competitive timbersports. Overcoming challenges, including a serious snowmobiling accident in 2022, Hand’s resilience and determination have propelled her to success in the sport.
Following her recent world record achievement and championship win, Hand plans to take a well-deserved break from the demanding competition schedule. After years of continuous international travel for timbersports, she looks forward to spending the upcoming winter season at home, enjoying the tranquility of the mountains and indulging in snowmobiling adventures.
