Youth Climbing Series Grand Final 2020

Posted by Emma Travers on 10/06/2020

The British Mountaineering Council, ClimbScotland and Mountaineering Ireland met on Friday 5 June to discuss the forthcoming YCS Grand Final 2020 and have concluded that in the current climate it will not be possible to run the event.

We discussed the complex logistical arrangements associated with the YCS, the continuing uncertainty regarding social distancing and the opening up of large-scale indoor events and, with a heavy heart, we have concluded that in the current climate it will not be possible to run the 2020 Grand Final. All three councils have made this decision unanimously.

We understand that many competitors will be disappointed with this decision, but we feel the health and well-being of all our competitors, volunteers and everyone involved with this competition – including the people they go home to - must be our priority.

Planning for YCS 2021 is currently underway and the three councils will be meeting each month to discuss new developments and ensure we are able to run competitions safely.

What happens to Regional Winners?

England and Wales: We are discussing with our AYCS how this might best be facilitated. All regional medals were delivered to the final regional venue and until climbing walls reopen, details on how medals will be presented won’t be known. On top of this, we are looking into producing a special 2020 hoody for all those who would have reached the final as a token of congratulations.

Regional winners and results in England and Wales after Round 3

🏅 Wales

🏅 North East and Yorkshire

🏅 North West and Lakes

🏅 Midlands and Peak

🏅 South West (North)

🏅 South West (South)

🏅 London and South East (North)

🏅 London and South East (South)

Ireland: Round 4 has been rescheduled to take place on Saturday 26^th of September at the Dublin Climbing Centre. For more information and to enter online please go to the Irish YCS Page. The overall results will be announced, and the medals and prizes will be presented.

Scotland: The Regional Rounds had completed before the Covid lock-down but we were unable to hold the YCS Team Selection event. As this event is no longer required, we will discuss how best to recognise the winners with the Competition Coordinators and the ClimbScotland Team. We will also investigate if it is possible to hold further events later in the year adhering to the Scottish Government’s social distancing at indoor events and in consultation with the Scottish Climbing Walls Network.

Does this mean that no competitions will take place in 2020?

No, we are monitoring the situation on a weekly basis and we hope to return to competitive activities as soon as it is safe to do so. With regards to our remaining BMC National Events in September and October, we are doing our best to work within Government guidelines and will do our best to make the decision regarding these events in a timely manner. Please take our survey below about returning to competition climbing.

The BMC, ClimbScotland and Mountaineering Ireland, would like to thank all YCS competitors, parents, volunteers and host venues for their continued support during the 2020 series and we look forward to seeing you again in 2021.

Returning to climbing competitions survey

As the government begins to relax its lockdown restrictions, the BMC is making decisions on whether to run the scheduled September and October competitions this year. The health and wellbeing of competitors, volunteers, parents and wall staff will be at the forefront of our thinking.

We’d really value your thoughts on what needs to be in place to give you confidence in returning to compete once again. Please take our short survey, which will only take a minute to complete.

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Anonymous User

10/06/2020

What will happen in relation to GB trials and selection for them?

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Emma Travers(author comment)

10/06/2020

Q:What will happen in relation to GB trials and selection for them?
A: Please email Lucinda@thebmc.co.uk for information regarding team selection in 2021

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Anonymous User

10/06/2020

Hi, such a shame to hear about the YCS Grand Final being cancelled, totally understandable in these exceptional circumstances. Just wondered if as a token gesture and to lift the spirits of the competitors who would have been there, if some sort of certificate can be produced congratulating them on the achievement of reaching the final? Just a thought.

Like this comment (5)

Anonymous User

10/06/2020

Hi only me again, (posted about the possibility of a certificate for the would be finalists). I'm the parent rep for the Mile End Climbing Wall squad, even though my kids have left the squad now - so not a post from an over bearing pushy parent!! If the Area Co-ordinators are willing to organise would it still be possible for the kids/parents to purchase grand final t-shirts and hoodies? Quite a few of the Mile End parents have expressed a wish to do so. Thanks

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Emma Travers(author comment)

11/06/2020

The decision for how to administer the results for the winners will be published soon. With a certain number of BMC competition staff furloughed, suggestions such as these may not be acted up on immediately. In the meantime you can email Nick@thebmc.co.uk who can respond to you about this

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Anonymous User

11/06/2020

I am surprised and disappointed for all involved the decision has been made so soon. I was hoping the BMC would wait for further guidance from the government on possible reopening dates of climbing walls.. If walls were opening end of July / early Aug, I could see this giving sufficient time for safely running a competition at end of Sept.

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Jonathan Gardner

13/06/2020

Obviously my daughter is devastated by this, and we would agree with comments about postponing the comp until later if at all possible. However, we know it is very difficult at this time for anyone making decisions. Please could I add my voice to those asking for a good way to recognise the achievement through medals, a ceremony of some sort, and the chance to buy a hoodie etc. Jonathan

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Jonathan Gardner

13/06/2020

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Anonymous User

13/06/2020

Very disappointed that BMC has taken the decision to cancel the finals so soon. We are only three months into the pandemic and a lot could happen in the six months between now and the end of the year. We are already seeing many sectors of the economy reopening. It strikes me that there is not a will to hold the finals rathetr than a wait and see strategy, which would seem more sensible to me.
Like many kids, my little boy trained very hard, over many months, in fact two years as 2020 was the first time he has been able to compete against kids his own age. He won all 3 regional rounds and wants a chance to compete in the finals. Please do not give up on him and the many other kids whose chance only comes around every two years, I imagine that hardly any of them win from the bottom of their age category so saying we will be back in 2021 will mean he'll have waited 4 years until 2022 for a realistic chance.
There are many obvious solutions to the various problems of social distancing, like holding the age groups at separate venues/on separate dates, later in the year to give kids without access to home facilities or nearby rocks a chance to get back to where they were in March. I'd be willing to help as I imagine many parents of kids in the finals would to make it happen.
Please let me know if you are willing to reconsider your decision, as I see that you sent a questionnaire about restarting comps so I am thinking, why would you send this if holding the YCS 2020 finals was not a possibility?

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Anonymous User

09/07/2020

Disappointed that the results were calculated based on the full 3/3 results rather than the usual 'best x-1 of x' (so, for this comp, best 2/3). Many competitors base their competition around being better at lead than boulder or vice-versa and so expect to scrap their worst round. Taking all 3 rounds into account eliminates that factor.

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