Best climbers vie for gold in lead, speed and para world championships

Posted by Rob Adie on 10/09/2014

The 2014 IFSC Lead, Speed, and Paraclimbing World Championships are now underway, taking place throughout 8-14 September in Gijón, Spain. The city’s Atlantic coastline will provide the perfect backdrop for the IFSC World Championship.

After the suspense and intensity of the IFSC Boulder World Championships in Munich in August, all eyes turn to Gijón to see if Adam Ondra can pull off a double gold medal.

The pressure is on for Adam Ondra in the men’s lead competition, as the Czech climber has the rare chance to don both the Boulder and Lead World Champion crowns after his victory in Munich. But with the top men’s climbers taking turns in first place during the last four World Cups, anything could happen.

In the women’s event, Jain Kim (KOR) has dominated the field, winning three of four Lead World Cups, but with many non-World Cup regulars coming out for the World Championships, she’ll have to fight hard for the gold.

Connor Byrne, Dave Barrans and Luke Dawson will be competing for the GB Climbing Team in the Lead qualifiers on Wednesday 10 September. Make sure you watch on the live stream to cheer them on.

The Paraclimbing competition, with 95 athletes signed up from 19 countries so far, should prove to be both thrilling and inspiring. Urko Carmona Barandiaran’s was recently awarded the Arco Rock Master Legend award for excellence in competition climbing, and we’ll be looking to see how he does in Gijón.

The GB Paraclimbing Team has a very strong presence in Gijon, with 10 climbers competing: Esme Harte, Alex Taylor, Reanne Racktoo, Sianagh Gallagher, Phillip Mitchell, Dave Bowes, John Churcher, Nick Middlton, Adam Hoolahan and reigining World Champion Fran Brown.

Join in the action

More information on the event, latest timings, as well as live streaming of the semi-finals and finals on:
www.ifsc-climbing.org

As always, the IFSC is present on Twitter during competitions, so you can interact with the hashtag #IFSCwch.

Provisional programme

Tuesday, September 9
13h00-19h00 (GMT+2) – Speed qualification for men & women

Wednesday, September 10
09h00-20h30 (GMT+2) – Lead qualification for men (2 groups)

Thursday, September 11
09h00-20h30 (GMT+2) – Paraclimbing qualification for men & women (2 routes, top-rope)

Friday, September 12
11h30-17h30 (GMT+2) – Lead qualification for women
19h30-21h00 (GMT+2) – Speed final for men & women (live streaming)

Saturday, September 13
10h30 (GMT+2) – Lead semi-final for men & women (live streaming)
17h00-21h00(GMT+2) – Paraclimbing final for men & women (live streaming)

Sunday, September 14
18h00-20h30 (GMT+2) – Lead final for men & women (live streaming)
21h00-22h00 (GMT+2) – Closing Ceremony