CELEBRATION, Fla. — To some, SuperJack may sound like an obscure type of cheese or maybe even an activity from an aerobics class. But everyone here at the Great Outdoor Games knows that the SuperJack competition is an octathlon of various timber skills where only the strongest and fastest survive. This year is the first time the SuperJack is being featured at the Games.

	Speed Climbing is just one of eight disciplines in the SuperJack timber event.

The eight invited competitors in the field will race against the clock in a rigorous rotation involving eight different disciplines: Springboard Chop, Single Buck Saw, Obstacle Pole Race, Boom Run, Axe Throw, Underhand Chop, Speed Climb and Speed Birl. These events are broken down into two rounds. Tonight, the Round 1 events taking place will be Springboard Chop, Single Buck Saw, Obstacle Pole Race and Speed Birl or single-man log rolling.

The Springboard Chop involves speed chopping a pocket into the designated area on a 6-foot pole. In the Single Buck Saw event competitors will make one cut through a 16-inch diameter of pine log to complete a disk. The Obstacle Pole Race pits competitors against one another and the clock to complete a series of chopping, sawing, and boom running challenges. The Speed Birling event requires athletes to complete 25 full rotations on a floating log.

The athletes competing in the SuperJack have to train with incredible proficiency in all eight events but each competitor has different strengths. Some may be more adept at the chopping events, but not as skilled in the log rolling and speed climbing areas. This evens the playing field for all of the competitors. It's easy to be a specialist in one event but to really excel at the SuperJack, athletes have to be talented in all disciplines of the timber sports. Quickness, agility, and strength will be key.

This event is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Fans will be able to pick their favorite competitor and cheer them on in each of the disciplines. But it will come down to the last event to determine who the best lumberjack in the world is. The winner truly earns the right to be an all-around timber champion.

The Games will be aired on ESPN and ABC Sports July 13-17, 2005. Click here for the broadcast schedule.

This article on the Great Outdoor Games 2005 Web site is brought to you by the editors of Field & Stream and Outdoor Life. For more information, visit www.fieldandstream.com and www.outdoorlife.com.