Hairy legs, bushy beards, interesting and colourful tattoos—that’s just some of what you can expect to see at this year’s Strength and Style Competition during the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous. After speaking with Bruce Sahlstrom, YSR board champion, I got a better sense of what this event is all about.

“Strength and Style is about Yukoners coming out and sharing a little piece of themselves with us. It’s a chance to learn something new about your neighbors,” Sahlstrom said as he organized the prizes for this year’s competition. 

The event has been around for almost 20 years. In that time, it has morphed and changed. Originally, it involved thumb wars and arm-wrestling. Now it includes events such as best ink.

This year’s competition, presented by Manu Keggenoff Photography, is takes place over the course of two separate nights. On Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m. at the Town and Mountain Hotel, the focus is on all things ink—best ink, best tattoo story, best arm tattoo, best leg tattoo and so on.

“People have a lot meaning behind their tattoos, I am excited that this year we added best tattoo story as a category,” Sahlstrom said. Last year’s Strength and Style competition saw more than 20 people participating. They showed tattoos of all sizes, shapes and origins. Rendezvous is hoping to have at least that many participate in 2019.

The second night, held Wednesday, Feb. 20, there’s a return to traditional events including hairy legs, hairy armpit, best beard, best old growth, best new growth and best mustache. Winners of these events will receive the coveted Gold Razor.

When asked how one decides who has the longest beard or leg hair, Sahlstrom smiled.

“We have it down to an art,” he said. “We have our ways. Our judges have magnifying glasses and rulers and all sorts of different things.”

Judges are selected from the community. They remain anonymous until the competition begins.

The Strength and Style competition seems like it will be a great event. Folks can sign up in advance at www.YukonRendezvous.com or in person the night of the events, both of which take place at the Town and Mountain Hotel. There is an entry fee for each category. Come on down and check it out. It should be a good time for everyone involved.

Leave a Comment

Scroll to Top