|
 Five
people competed to be the first to split a log into four rails. This
process involves splitting the log in half long ways, then splitting
each of the halves one more time. Since those competing were not
professionals at railsplitting, they were each allowed to have a
coach to help guide them.
As soon as they were allowed, the five competitors got to work. They
used sledgehammers to drive metal wedges into the wood, then pounded
on the wedges to drive them even further in. Great strength and
accuracy were needed with each swing to effectively drive the wedge
into the log. Once a wedge was driven into one end of the log, each
competitor worked their way down the log, placing and driving in
more wedges as they went. In some cases, the wedges were enough,
causing the log to split in half. In other cases, the competitors
needed to drop their tools and use their hands, and sometimes their
feet, to try to pry the log apart.
[to top of second column]
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Once the log was split into four rails, the
competitors needed to place their tools in a pile and ensure the
rails were not touching. Once they had done this, the competitor
yelled “time,” at which point their time would be recorded.
This year, third place went to Wyatt Reinhart with a
time of 11:48. Second place went to Ryan Ballinger with a time of
6:52. First place went to Bryce Muir with a time of 4:43.
[Matt Boutcher] |
