European Youth Series
selection day
On the weekend just gone (9th - 10th May) three junior climbers from South Wales made the long journey north to Scotland and the international climbing stage of Ratho! The aim of the trip was to take part in a selection day competition being run by the BMC to help decide which climbers will be going forward to compete in the EYS (European Youth Series) which is being held in Edinburgh on the 19th & 20th September. With this in mind Beth, Roz and Ash took part amongst a strong field of climbers from across Britain (around 70 competitors) by attempting to flash 2 qualifying routes. The walls at Ratho are staggering being steep, Steep & Very Steep but also long compared to many walls in our area but the 3 brave climbers from South Wales held there own with Roz Flashing her first Route and coming very close to Flashing her second route.
Roz Flashing one of her qualifying routes
Beth Climbed smoothly throughout the event and had the unlikely task of tackling a tricky slab as part of her qualifying route. this she did with ease and qualified for the final of her category.
Beth climbing high on the new STEEP comp wall
Ashleigh who has been leading under a year also showed brilliant power and technique to battle with some very hard routes and gain his place in the days final. So all 3 made it to the last 10 in there respective classes and the stage was set for a tense afternoon.
Ashleigh climbing up the super hard final route
Beth, Roz and Ash all climbed well in there final reaching excellent high points on there given routes, with Roz coming close to topping out!
A special Congratulations to Roz as she was put on a provisional list of climbers to compete at the forth coming EYS which would be a remarkable achievement and one she should be very proud of. as the weekend finished we all had a fantastic trip enjoyed the climbing laughed lots as we found ourselves bouldering (its funny when presented with the largest climbing wall in the UK you play on the boulders still) and 3 climbers from south wales all placed in the top 10.
all in all a great weekend
for more info and results
happy climbing
simon
