If you saw Corena Werth walking round the Boonah Showgrounds on Saturday morning, you might have noticed she had her baby girl on her hip. 

But just after 11am, behind the fence of the chainsaw racing section, Corena had her hands full with something else – a chainsaw. 

Competing in the chainsaw speed cut event, Corena rip corded the chainsaw into gear before she stacked her swiftly cut discs. 

The event is quick and tough, and for the most part, dominated by men.

But Oakey woman Corena doesn’t let that bother her. 

“I do all the speed racing events,” Corena said. 

“I do the ladies and then the three races with the men.

“I’m the only woman competing against the men at the Boonah Show but sometimes there are women that compete alongside me and the men at other shows.” 

She took out the women’s title at this year’s Boonah show, however, was knocked out in her heat against the men. 

Corena first got into the chainsaw racing world more than ten years ago, when her brother-in-law introduced her to the sport. 

“My sister used to do it with her husband so I got into it through them,” she said. 

“It’s a good family atmosphere and it’s just lots of fun.” 

A stay at home mum by day, Corena said she didn’t practice or train for the event and she was a first-timer in the Jack and Jill event. 

“I just turn up on the day and hope for the best,” she said. 

“With the speed races I had one or two practices but for the Jack and Jill I just figured it out in my first competition.

“I don’t think it’s too hard.” 

Corena said she didn’t feel as though there were many social barriers or a ‘wooden ceiling’ for women in the event. 

“They’re all really good about me racing with them,” she said. 

“It’s really good comradery.”

Corena said she’d already competed in Goombungee and Toowoomba shows this year, with more shows on list – her two-year-old daughter ready to cheer from the sideline. 

“She’s not phased about it at all, she likes it.”