World Cup Hall

The flight into Innsbruck was amazing - along the valley with snow capped mountains.

I climbed quite well but missed a couple of tricks through inexperience. I flashed the 1st and last qualifier problems and tried the intermediate 3 lots of times so was pleased with my power indurance. I came 41st.

CWIF

I entered the Climbing Works International Festival yesterday. It took me a while to get going on the 30 qualifier problems, but after a wobbly start I managed to crank up 195 points putting me in 6th position for the semi-final (16 places).

Arghh, I slipped off the first bloc with a greasy hold. After a brush I got it ok, but was frustrated not to have flashed it. I missed the bonus on the second bloc by a whisker, then completely misread the 3rd. After wasting lots of energy I worked it out and got the bonus.

Hurrah, the 4th bloc was just my cup of tea and I felt like I had recovered well. On the first go I got to within a couple of moves of the top, but my fingers slipped as I went to move up. After a short rest I thought 'this time', but I had hit the wall and didn't have enough left to finish the job :-(

I finished 9th. Vera from the Dutch team won, with Michaela and Audrey 2nd and 3rd.

Stamina

The leading competition really brought home the fact it was time to start my stamina training for the World Cup series. Five minutes on, five minutes off for an hour or so. Pump-tastic.

Some of the boulder league blocs that I had completed previously felt almost impossible towards the end of the session.

The bouldering leagues are now complete. I took 1st place in Level 2 of the Foundry League and Womens 3rd place in the Works League behind Leah Crane and Rae Cowie.

Ford Skymasters

I entered the Ford Skymasters competition at the Ordnance Survey Ourdoors Show this weekend. An innovative set up of suspended blocks forming a long roof leading to a suspended Ford Ranger. It was fun to climb if somewhat unnerving that some of the blocks were able to rock.

It was my first leading competition and I was pleased to make healthy 10th place. One hold behind the 3 girls ahead of me.

On Rock

Not sure how I forgot to mention the fantastic gritstone weather we've been having. Hope everyone has been out there making the most of it.

I went out to Robin Hood's Stride the other weekend. It was glorious. I ticked the 7a in the Cave area - shame it doesn't have a name. A fun little bloc with a big reach.

Campus Boarding

Team training this weekend with campus work on the first day. I feel that I've improved quite a lot since last time. Time to pull hard.

Hopefully off to the French Alps boarding soon too. Snow fun

Bring it on.

Climbing Works

Well it did on Friday night. The Climbing Works bouldering league provided an excellent set of blocs. I completed 18 out of the 25 and am going back today to work on a few that only just got the better of me.

I'll follow this up with a bit of campus work as I haven't done so much of this of late...