World Youth Championships Imst (25-28/8/11)

The World Youth Chamionships were held in Imst. A lot of atletes from 50 countries from all around the world came to Austria.

After the qualification round, I was placed 4th, tied with Anne-Sophie Koller (SUI). In the semi-finals I could top out together with Jessica Pilz (AUT) and Ievgeniia Kazbekova (UKR).

In the final route and I climbed up to the roof and found it very complicated. I did choose to go straight instead of right. I went to a foothold and fell although I was not pumped.

Jessica Pilz is the World Youth Champion, Ieveniia Kazbekova was 2nd and Salomé Romain (FRA) 3rd! I was 4th and a bit disappointed, but I really enjoyed the friendships with the Youth B girls.

Congratulations to Loïc Timmermans who finished 3th in the male Youth A!

EYC Imst (13-14/8/11)

After the qualification round I was placed 4th, tied with Hannah Baehr (GER) and Julia Chanourdie (FRA). Some climbed the second qualification route in the shade but some of us had to climb the route in the bright sun.

In the final route there was a very far move to go to hold 56. I could just touch the hold. Hannah had done the same. Jessica Pilz (AUT) who had topped both qualification routes also touched that hold. Unfortunately she touched the bottom of the hold and was given 55+ (after an appeal of both the German and the Belgian coach). She is very strong but just smaller than Hannah and I. I feel sorry for her that this move was way too far for us, Youth B girls!

So Hannah and I had to climb a superfinal. Hannah managed to touch hold 61 (super) and I could touch hold 63.

Loïc Timmermans (BEL) Youth A male, climbed very well. However, he was called down after 8 minutes (he climbs with a stopwatch to keep an eye on his climbing time but he forgot to start the stopwatch). He still won the silver medal!

EYC Imst 2011

1st place Veliko Tarnovo (3-4/8/11)

After the trip by car, bus and plane we arrived in Bulgaria for the European Youth Cup. I could top out the first qualification route and touched the tophold in the second. The final route was very hard. I found a no hands rest and finished first. Julia Chanourdie (FRA) was second and Andrea Pavlicova (CZE) third.
Loïc Timmermans (Belgium) finished 2nd in the male youth A category. It was a great competition with high summer temperatures. I liked the routes and I loved to meet all the girls of the other countries again.

Photographer: Thibaud Caulier