Saturday 18th July saw the Junior and veterans categories of the BMC British Lead Climbing Championships held at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena near Ratho, Edinburgh, in Scotland.
The weather outside may have been pouring down with rain but inside the climbing arena the sun was, metaphorically speaking, shining brightly and we were treated to stunning climbing displays.
For the first time ever there were more female than male competitors with 27 girls taking part.
There was also an international element to the day with competitors from Canada and Israel as well as a strong contingent from Northern Ireland.
The day started with each climber completing two qualifying routes and then the top climbers in each category making the final.
The Male veterans were the first to finish. Mike Smith, the current Army champion, narrowly won on countback from Eddie Cooper from Northern Ireland.
In the Female Juniors Kitty Wallace deposed last year's champion Shauna Coxsey and Suzie Zitter, who recently won her category in the BMC Youth Climbing Series, was a very creditable third.
In the Male Juniors Jonathon Stocking climbed amazingly to retain his crown in the face of strong competition in the final from Alon Gurman and Luke Tilley.
Results
Female Juniors
1. Kitty Wallace
2. Shauna Coxsey
3. Suzie Zitter
Male Juniors
1. Jonathan Stocking
2. Alon Gurman
3. Luke Tilley
Male Veterans
1. Mike Smith
2. Eddie Cooper
3. Nick Colton
Report of the Senior event
Full BMC BLCC results 2009 available here
Bill Davidson also organised an Edelrid speed climbing competiton that attracted many of the competitors to take part.
Speed Climbing Competition Results
Female Juniors
1. Jaime Davison
2. Emily Winterhalder
3. Eleanor Hopkins
Male Juniors
1. Jonathan Stocking
2. Jonathan Field
3. Robert Stuart Patterson
The BMC would like to thank all the volunteers who helped out and contributed to making the event such a great success. They all do a really fantastic job.
The seniors BMC BLCC will be held tomorrow - Sunday
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