Weidenthal cheered the best Christmas tree launchers in Germany!

On January 5, 2025, the 17th Christmas tree throw took place in Weidenthal, in the Bad Dürkheim district. The event, which is traditionally carried out as part of the "Knutfest", attracted numerous participants from different age groups. Men, women and children competed against each other in a sporty competition and demonstrated their skills in various disciplines, including the javelin throw with a 1.50 meter high spruce, hammer throw and high jump.

The number of participants in previous years showed a great variety: in 2024, 89 men, 33 women and 25 children competed. At the competition, those present were able to add the total value of the three disciplines to determine the winners. The Christmas trees used for the competition came from a nearby Christmas market.

competition results and honors

In the 17th edition of the World Cup in Christmas tree throwing, the title went to the men to Jürgen Weis from ürzig with an impressive performance of 20.29 meters. Margret Klein-Raber from Saarland triumphed with 14.67 meters for women. Klein-Raber is known as a world record holder because she set up three individual world records in 2019, including a record of 20.20 meters. The reigning record holder Frank Schwender, who went into the history books with a best performance of 25.01 meters in 2016, took the last time in 2025 and took the 3rd place with 18.84 meters.

The trophy for the winners consisted of a wooden moose figure, and the event was part of the "Knutfest", which FC Wacker in Weidenthal was aligned for the 21st time. The festival, which has been celebrated by Scandinavian traditions since 2003, also ensures festive entertainment by Guggenmusiker and culinary offers, including mulled wine and dishes from the "De Pälzer Grill". After the award ceremony, a large fireworks display took place. Participants who brought their Christmas tree to burn were able to look forward to a free mulled wine.