A lumberjack buzzes the competition during the semifinals of the Hot Saw contest.

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — Veteran lumberjack Mel Lentz added a gold medal in the Hot Saw competition Saturday to an already impressive list of accomplishments in the sport.

Lentz, a timber worker from Diana, W.Va., took the gold with a time of 6.06 seconds, the best time posted during the three rounds of competition.

Jerry Scutt, of Portville, N.Y., had some trouble with his first of three cuts through the pine log. He finished with a time of 8.46 seconds.

In such a quick event, any stumble at all pretty much dooms the participant to a loss, but the first cut is particularly critical, Lentz said.

"The hard work paid off," Lentz said. "There is a lot of work done to your chain and a lot of practice time to make sure your moves are right and to make sure you get the motor to your wood quick."

The hot saw competition is about sheer power.

The athletes use chainsaws weighing anywhere from 55 to 75 pounds to cut three times through a pine log that is 20 inches in diameter. The competition is fast and loud. The chainsaws burn on pure alcohol. And a round is typically completed in less than 10 seconds.

	“	You have the top 10 hot sawyers in the country here. When you qualify, your nerves are shot. ”
		— Gold-medal lumberjack Mel Lentz

The competitors are given 45 seconds to get their chainsaw primed for the event. When the starter waves the flag, the participants immediately pick the chainsaw up off the ground. They then make one downward cut, an upward cut and then another downward cut .

The Americans typically fare better in the hot saw competition than in the chopping events. And that was the case Saturday as all four finalist were from the United States. In the consolation round, defending hot saw champion Harry Burnsworth of Mill Run, Pa., (6.46 seconds), defeated Matt Bush of Croghan, N.Y. (6.78 seconds).

Lentz said his chainsaw used a motor typically used in a snowmobile. Meanwhile, Scutt's saw contained a motor used in motorcycles.

Lentz comes from a long line of lumberjacks. His father competed in tournaments in old logging camps, plus his father and uncle competed in timber sports for about 20 years.

At one time or another, Lentz has won just about every type of lumber competition that is offered, including the all around championships in Hayward, Wis. a record nine times.

However, in recent years the 46-year old has had to deal with numerous injuries, including a broken leg. He said he was more nervous trying to qualify for the Great Outdoor Games than he was during the finals.

"You have the top 10 hot sawyers in the country here," Lentz said. "When you qualify, your nerves are shot. You got to qualify high to make it in. Once you progress, it's a lot easier. Jerry did a very good job getting to the finals. I give credit to him."