Aidan Roberts becomes Britain’s first European junior champion

Posted by Tom Greenall on 27/07/2015

Euro champ Aidan Roberts. Photo: The Circuit Climbing Magazine.

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The GB Junior Bouldering Team has just returned with an outstanding set of results from the European Championships in L'Argentiere La Bessee in France, capped by a winning performance from Aidan Roberts. Team manager and coach Tom Greenall reports.

A total of 16 athletes across 6 categories represented our country at an event which combined the second round of the European Cup together with the European Championships.

The standout performance came in the way of Aidan Roberts who made competition history by being the ﬁrst British Junior to ever take a European Championship.

Aidan's medal haul continued as he became the overall Bronze medalist in the European Cup. The 16 year old Cumbrian overpowered the competition on his way to topping all 4 of his ﬁnals blocs. The only athlete to do so.

Hamish Pokotar added to Aidan's success with a Silver medal in the Junior male category. The 19 year old from Bristol is truly back on form as he stormed into the second spot in ﬁne style. Hamish previously won a Bronze medal here in L'Argentiere and is also a multiple time ﬁnalist for the GB Team.

Aidan and Hamish have both headed to straight to Magic Wood in Switzerland for a mid season break from the competitions circuit.

In Youth B Max Milne also displayed phenominal climbing, making the 3rd of our GB ﬁnalists. The 14 year old from Aberdeen bounced his way to an excellent 6th place at his ﬁrst ever international event. Max's natural talent makes him an athlete to watch in the future.

"The problems were really dynamic which is the sort of climbing I just love" he commented after a thrilling ﬁnal where he was one move away from a podium place. Combined with other great performaces throughout the team, GB placed ahead of both Germany and Switzerland in the overall team rankings with a richly deserved position of 5th place.

This competition marked an emotional one for Rachel Carr as the championships marked her ﬁnal performance as team captain. "I'm very sad to say goodbye to the GB team but it couldn't have been a better way to end my time as captain."

Assistant manager and Strength and Conditioning Coach Tim Cunnington commented "Once we get back home the team are straight into World Youth Championships in Arco Italy in 4 weeks time. The results from this one have really given the team a platform to build on and it really shows the growing depth of talent that we have in Britain".

The GB team now look forward with conﬁdence to the World Championships in Arco where bouldering will feature for the ﬁrst time.

The GB Junior Boulder Team are sponsored by the Route Setting Association.