EYC, EICA ratho, 19th/20th May 2012

On Saturday 19th May I competed in the qualifying rounds at my first European Youth Cup event. I was very nervous. My first qualifier was on the hanger wall and I was pleased to climb this route well and almost top out. The second qualifier was a very tricky route up the edge of the old comp wall and, unfortunately, I slipped when making a big move about a third of the way up. I was really upset and disappointed and so was very happy when I found out I was in the final. I had qualified in 7th place! The second route was very hard as many other climbers had fallen lower down.

During the qualifiers the GB Climbing Team had performed really well with 6 climbers making the finals.

The final was held on Sunday morning and I went into isolation. I wasn't as nervous as on the Saturday as it was my first final and I just wanted to climb well. When we viewed our route I thought it looked like a very crimpy and powerful route. I was climbing 4th and came out to loud cheers from the crowd. I climbed really strongly and managed to go past the first lower off, before my heel slipped off a sloper and I fell. I later found out that the route was graded 8a to the first lower-off - I am very pleased to have onsighted 8a!

on the Final route

After the finals I had moved up into 6th place. I am delighted with this result at my first EYC.