Thursday 9 October 2014

EYBC Austria, WYCC Noumea, New Caledonia, BLCC & BSCC Sheffield

Oh dear - I've not kept up to date with my blog again. Sometimes it's very hard to juggle training, comps, school and homework - and climbing always wins over writing!  Much has happened since I last blogged - so this is just going to be a short report on each event to bring you up to date.

European Youth Boulder Cup, Laengenfeld, Oetzal, 15-16 August

I competed with the GB Junior Bouldering Team at this event in Austria. I was happy with how I climbed in the qualifiers, quickly and efficiently making 7 tops, and I went through to the finals in 4th place. The final was tough, but I managed 2 tops and the bonus on the other problem. On my final problem I dug deep, on my 7th attempt as the clock was ticking, to make a tricky move and hang on for the top out. This climb gave me a second place podium finish, which I was very pleased with.

On the move that clinched my Silver medal

Here is a link to the BMC GB Junior Bouldering Report
gb-junior-bouldering-team-storm-to-dramatic-2014-season-climax

World Youth Climbing Championhip, Noumea, New Caledonia, 19-23 September

I travelled with the GB Junior Lead team to New Caledonia, in the Pacific Ocean, to compete at the World Youth Climbing Championship. As it is my first year in the Youth A category I knew that this was going to be a tough competition, but I had been training hard and hoped that if I climbed well I could make finals.
The GB Junior Lead Team for the WYCC

On one of our first days on the island, whilst out for a run, we spotted a snake. Being with the other boys on the team, we immediately prodded it (gently) with a stick to encourage it out of its hole. Later we discovered that it is a very venomous snake, more so than a Cobra! I didn't tell my Mum about that, until I was safely home!
The Knit Striped snake

During the Worlds I felt that I climbed well. I should have topped the first qualifier, but I went too dynamically for the second last hold which cost me the route. I placed 11th equal after this route. The second qualifier went really well and I was pleased to top out. I was in 4th equal place after both qualifying routes. 

After all the qualifiers were finished, all 7 of the GB Team had made it through to the semi-finals which was fantastic :) A great result for the GB Junior Lead Team!
Climbing hard at the WYCC

In the Semi-final my climb went quite well, although I made a couple of mistakes in the roof which wasted energy, so I dropped the climb at the last clip. However, it turned out I was first equal on this route and with the count-back from the qualifiers I was in 1st place. I was very happy to have made the finals and to have qualified 1st! I was also the only GB climber to have made the finals.
However, things didn't go so well in the Finals and I finished the competition in 8th place. In the Final, I was out last from isolation, and made a route reading mistake at some volumes. I don't think the pressure got to me, but its always hard when there is an expectation to do well. Although I was gutted with my climb in the finals, I will learn from my mistakes and be stronger for the next time. Things don't always go to plan but successful athletes move on and keep training hard!

It was a long journey to and from New Caledonia but it was a fantastic experience.

British Lead and Speed Championship, Sheffield, 4-5 October

On Saturday 4th October I competed at the junior event of the BLCC at Awesome Walls, Sheffield. I climbed well and topped both my qualifiers. I went into the final in joint first place with fellow GB Team member Jim Pope. I was last out from isolation to climb and found the final route not too difficult until the last section. I made a mistake going for the last hold and moved too statically and fell at this point. Jim Pope had topped the route and so I finished in 2nd place overall. I was disappointed, but really pleased for my friend Jim, who had climbed really well. Well done Jim!

On Youth A Final route 
As a forfeit for losing I had to wear the shirt I had bought in Noumea (whilst our cases were missing) and shades at dinner that night. 
Cool Dude!
On the Sunday I was competing in the Senior comp. This is the first year that I was old enough to compete in this event and I was really psyched for it. I was pleased to top both qualifiers, especially the second one as my foot popped near the top and I had to quickly grab hold and hang on to a sloper. I was the only competitor to top both routes so qualified for the final in first place.

Topping out on Qualifier 2


In the final I climbed well and made use of the rests. I knew that I would have to get very near the top to win. At the top I was getting pumped but fought on through a tough cross-through move and then fell from the second last hold. When I reached the ground I was told that I had won and I was thrilled. Lots of people came to congratulate me and I was very very happy!


On the Senior Male Final route 

The Senior Male Podium 
(Thanks to Zoe at Awesome Walls for the great photos)

After the finals it was time for the British Junior Speed Championship, which I had entered for fun. I enjoyed taking part in this and was pleased to finish in 2nd place. My brother, Alexander Bosi, was also competing in the Senior Speed event and finished in 2nd place - Well done Alexander!

Here is a link to the BMC report of the event.
british-lead-speed-climbing-championships-ifsc-paraclimbing-cup-2014

I was also delighted that my good friend Molly Thompson-Smith had retained her Senior female Lead Championship title, here we are together with our medals.

Senior Champions! Photo - Tony Smith


Due to winning the Senior Male British Lead Championship I have been invited to attend a Senior World Cup event at Kranj, Slovenia in November, which is very exciting. The hard work starts now!

Next up is a climbing trip with my great friend Angus Davidson to Siurana, Spain. We are both so psyched about returning to Siurana, and the guidebook is being studied!