The Christmas tree throwing championship took place on January 5 in Weidenthal (Rhineland-Palatinate)
Anyone who wishes can combine business with pleasure, and possibly even win a prize, the main thing is to be able to throw a once-decorated tree. As "Russkaya Germaniya" notes, if you have enough strength, you can throw Christmas trees not only for distance but also for height.
Fans of New Year traditions from all over the world flock to the German town to spectacularly throw a Christmas tree at the bright competition called Knutfest. The event attracts many people every year; this year the amusing contest was held for the 10th anniversary. Knutfest takes place on the first Sunday of January (this year on the 5th) at the Wacker Weidenthal stadium.
Championship records
• 25.01 m – world record for Christmas tree throwing distance (set in 2016 by Frank Schwender from Frankeneck, Rhineland-Palatinate).
• 23.9 m – German record for 2019, won by Christopher Millot from Weidenthal.
• 20.20 m – German women's record for 2019, achieved by Margret Klein-Raber from Siersburg, Saarland.
The idea of the post-New Year Christmas tree competition belongs to athletes – players of the local football club Wacker. They first organized the Christmas tree throwing contest in 2001. At that time, they simply decided to have fun in this unpretentious way, but their fun turned out to be so infectious that the local competition gained international scope. Now athletes from France, England, Sweden, and even the USA come to Weidenthal to throw trees.
Of course, foreign participants do not bring their own Christmas trees to the competition, as it is difficult and expensive given strict airline baggage regulations. The organizers have a special supply of fir trees for guests of Germany. Local athletes can also come without a tree – they will be given "equipment" for free.
The opposite option is also possible: you can bring a tree but not participate in throwing it – the projectile will go to "tree-less" participants. In gratitude, guests who donate their tree can receive a mug of warming punch or mulled wine.