Life in the Fast Lane

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Wild, weird, whacky and wonderful whiskers were on display at the World Beard and Moustache Championships in the eastern Bavarian village of Eging am, Germany this weekend. To beard or not to beard — more than 100 contestants from 10 nations spent the entire year growing and grooming their whiskers to compete in the hairy sport for the most extravagant and unusual beard in the world.

Participants of the international German beard championships in the eastern
Bavarian village of Eging am April 19 2008. Photo Reuters

Contestants in the international German beard championships April 2008.
Photo Xinhua

For those still scratching their chins, the event is relatively new, held every other year since its inception at Höfen-Enz, Germany in1990. Since then the competition has grown into a biennial event hosted by beard and mustache clubs mostly in Germany, Sweden, and Norway.

Starting out young, Germany’s Harald Breitenfeldt (L) and his 2 year-old grandson Leon prepare their beards for the international German beard championships 2008. Photo Xinhua

From natural to flowing and freestyle, hairy men compete in 17 beard and moustache categories — 8 styles of mustache, 4 varieties of partial beard / goatee, and 5 designations of full-beard.

Entry rules are strict for contestants — wax, hairsprays and mousses are typically permitted for most classes of beard, but hair dye, hair extensions and hair clips are prohibited as performance enhancing materials.

Participants present their beards during the international German beard championships April 19 2008. Photo Xinhua

“I wanted to do something different to try to stand out. So it’s going to be kind of like Jimmy Hendrix, military-hippie-man — that’s the idea.” said Dave Tozer from Great Britain. We think that he succeeded.

Dave Tozer from Great Britain shows off a pastiche of sartorial styles. Photo Reuters

While sporting beards and moustaches may not exactly be classified as extreme sport, competition gets fierce and rather hairy as participants contend to impress spectators and judges alike. Whatever you do, don’t mention the word ’shave.’

Participant in the international German beard championships in the eastern
Bavarian village of Eging am April 19, 2008. Photo Xinhua

Germany’s Gerhard Knapp. Photo Reuters

Perfectly pomaded Hajrudin Cebo shows off his beard. Photo Reuters

Reinhard Esters. Photo Reuters

Splitting hairs as contestants line up for the German beard championship.
Photo Reuters

Sporting a fine mustache is Guenther Fuchs, decked out in military attire.
Photo Reuters

Karlheinz Stengel with his starched beard into two points. Photo Reuters

Hanna Tozer (R) from Britain toasts with a glass of beer as she joins the international German beard championships to support her husband. Photo Reuters

Two participants gear up to present their beards at the international
German beard championship. Photo Reuters