SPORTS DEVELOPMENT NEWS

• Winter Performance Seminar 2005/2006
• BRYCS 2005 Final Report
• Expedition Grant Awards 2005

Tooled up for winter performance….

Scottish Winter Climbing Performance Seminar
Series 2005 -2006

Glenmore Lodge, Scotland’s National Outdoor Centre will once again host the Scottish Winter Climbing Performance Seminars Series. This is the sixth season that the Lodge has hosted this unique, and extremely popular event.

The first seminar, Hooking and Psyching on the 21st – 23rd October 2005, has a variety of lectures and practical sessions looking at developing the physical, mental, and technical aspects of winter climbing for all climbers - from newcomer to performer.

Aimed at providing winter climbers of all abilities with the key training and performance-enhancing beta to enable them to make the most of their winter climbing this coming season. It includes sessions such as Mental Skills for Winter Climbing where you can develop techniques for coping with the high stress factor inherent in winter climbing; Physical Training for Winter Climbing which will give away the top tips for honing and developing those winter climbing muscles; A Water Ice Primer covering the techniques and equipment for making the most of your Continental ice climbing trip and Performance Mixed Climbing where you can develop the key techniques for tackling mixed climbs.

So if you want to unlock the true you – a winter climbing machine of immense power and energy driven by an iron will, check out the full beta on the seminar at http://www.glenmorelodge.org.uk/ .

BRYCS 2005 Final

By Kevin Howett

Photos by Mark Alderson (Dane Court Grammar School)

After regional competitions in Scotland North (at Inverness Climbing Wall and The Ice Factor) and Scotland South (at Glasgow Climbing Centre, Alien Rock and Avertical World) two teams of young climbers headed to London and the Westway Climbing Centre for the British final.

The first three placed climbers for each Region in Britain (Scotland North, Scotland South, Wales, Midlands, North East & Lakes, South West, Peak, North West, London and SE, Yorkshire & Hunberside) battled it out for placings in boys & girls categories in 3 age groups between 7 and 15.

Both Scottish teams have seen a reduction in the number of participants in the lower age categories of late and were unable to send down full teams again this year, so it was good to see newcomers Rebecca Woods get a 17^th place and Iseabail Moffat gain 9^th in the girls 7-9, both from Scotland North. The boys in this category, one each from the two Scotland teams, placed 9^th (Dylan Mackenzie) and 11^th (John Clyde).

In the middle age category the Scottish teams were missing two of their stars (Natalie Berry and Robert Mackenzie) who were taking a breather from BRYCS this year and concentrating on British Team competitions and World Youth Finals in August.

Jamie Davidson moved up a category and did well with a 12^th in the girls 10-12. Ellen Macaskill gained 18^th (her first final since 2003). Ross Kirkland gained the best personal result with 7^th.

In the oldest category Aline Kirkland bettered her 8^th place last year with a podium position of 2^nd, with Karen McIntyre and Anna Wells not far behind her (6^th & 7^th). Peter Johnston also bettered last years personal result and gained a 4^th place.

Considering the reduced team numbers both teams did well gaining 4^th for Scotland South and 9^th for Scotland North.

The full results (regional and final) can be found on the Dane Court Grammar School website at:
www.indoorsout.co.uk/index.htm#brycs2005results.htm

Expedition Grant Awards 2005

This year there were fewer direct applications to MCofS than normal, but a number of trips were being organised that applied through the MEF/BMC which qualified for our support. The following were given grants:

5S

Dave Rowe, Robert Leach and Geoff Greenhowe are to attempt a winter ascent of the Zurbriggen Ridge on Mt Cook, South Island New Zealand, starting from the sea (“Sandy Sea Shore”) to the “Snowy Summit” - hence 5S’s.

Scottish Pantheon Range Expedition

Simon Richardson returns to the Canadian Pacific Coast Ranges this time accompanied by Mark Robson, for a first ascent of the whole ridge line of the North West Ridge of Mt Zeus.

Rondoy West Face

Gareth Hughes, Tim Barlow and Oliver Metherell are attempting a new route up an ice funnel on the West Face of Rondoy in Peru. For Olly this is part of his Super7 concept to climb new routes on all seven continents.