Scottish Youth Climbing Series 2009

Results:

Full Results of all three Rounds are available Here
(including results for regions in England, Wales and Ireland)

Scottish Teams:
With all three rounds now complete, the top three ranked climbers in each category will make up the two teams for Scotland North and Scotland South. They will be attending the British Final held at the The Westway in London on 20th June. Look at the reports section below for members of the teams.

Reports:

Round 1
Scotland North Region
37 children competed at the first round held in the North Region at Transition Extreme in Aberdeen. Here are a few images from Ruairidh MacKenzie (Area Youth Coordinator):

Round 1
Scotland South Region
By Simon Tait

YCS 2009Round 1 took off at EICA on the7^th March.Wehad a large turnout with 50 competitors. We have the Quickdraw climbing club in our region with a number of YCS No.1's from 2008 and a number of Scottish No.1's in both bouldering and Routes; with this, it was always going to be challenging to separate them.

In the youngest age groups Rachel Tennent ledwithsome close competition with Gabriella Steward and Elle Hogarth hot on her tail. The boys were also a close group with Jamie Blair taking 1^st, Jason McDonald (taking 2^nd in his first YCS competition!) and only 2 points behind - Robert Davidson.

In the 11-13yrs group, Eleanor Hopkins and Rachel Carr dominated, ending it a 1^st place tie, followed by Sophie Stanistreet in 3^rd. The Boys went down to the wire with the last route seeing Angus Davidson coming only2 points ahead of Alexander Bosi, with Euan Kingonly 1 point behind that to see 3^rd.
In the14-16yrs group, after her successful year in getting an ‘aspirant’s’ position on the British team Jamie Davisonwas on form coming 1^st after a nice climb up the Sardinian Pillar, withChristy Macleod coming 2^nd, followed by Abi Beautiman in 3^rd.

In the boys group, Callum Forsyth came 1^st with fine attempt up the pillar, Gregor Gaughan came 2^nd and Jamie Drummond in his first Competition made it to 3^rd.

Bring on round 2 at Dundee's Avertical World!

A selection of photos from the competition are available HERE

Round 2
Round 2 was held on Saturday 28th March at Climb @ Inverness Leisure (Scotland North) and Avertical World, Dundee (Scotland South).

Round 3
This year was one of the best attended competitions since we started with a total entry of 142 children competing in north and south regions. The increase in participants was mainly in the lower age category and there is no doubt that this is due to the added impetus from the Quick-draw Club in the south region and the additional climbing walls that have been constructed in the north region's Primary Schools and the resultant Primary School Competition that was held at Extreme Dream increasing the profile of the event. Some of the new climbers only competed in their home round, but we hope they found it fun and will try all three next year. In the meantime, MCofS will be organising a series of activities, events, coaching sessions and REALrock for children in the summer and autumn so there are more events that will help them fair better next year. 

If you are considering having a go next year remember that the 8-10 category's focus is on fun, whilst the 14-16 category is often more competitive as the best in this category will also be looking to gain selection to the British Team. But don't let that out you off, its still fun to have a go and you'll meet other climbers your age from across Scotland.

We have to thank all the hosting walls (Inverness, Aberdeen, Kinlochleven, Avertical World, Dundee, Alien Rock and EICA: Ratho) and their staff for all their hard work in route-setting and management on the day, the many parents and other volunteers who take on belaying, judging and dogs-body roles at each event, but particularly the Area Youth Coordinators, Ruairidh Mackenzie and Neil McGeachy ably helped by Simon Tait.

Kevin Howett (Development Officer)

The 2009 Teams are: