Campbell Harrison climbs the Open A final route to take out the title.
Over 800 hours of organisation and event management, including seven days of stripping walls, cleaning holds and route setting by ten hardworking volunteers yielded a total of 37 climbing routes.
This was the Australian Lead Nationals, held this year at Urban Climb, Brisbane.
Kate Sawford competes in the Australian Lead Nationals, which included a Para category for the first time in 2015.
The event hosted 191 competitors representing five states and territories, as well as the more than 70 volunteers and a whopping 1700 people through the doors.
For the competitors, the rewards were plenty, with over $15,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs from local and international sponsors.
The event marked two significant milestones in the evolution of competition climbing in Australia ‐ the first ever National-level Para Climbers division, and Australia’s first ever, live streamed climbing competition. The two days of competition were viewed by 7500 people in Australia and overseas.
The first day saw all the Youth categories compete. Sheer determination, nerves and tears, strength and flexibility all out there on display. Climbers in the youngest divisions get our award for being the most inspirational. If you can hold on, unable to move, but unwilling to give up or let go until your time runs out, then you have much to teach some people much older than yourself!
There were no surprises with the Junior (aged 18/19) category. Campbell Harrison and Roxy Perry took first places in male and female divisions respectively, with top-outs on their finals routes. Both of these young athletes have pushed hard and believed in themselves over the past year. Their victories were well deserved.
NB: A Q&A with National champion Campbell Harrison appeared on page 12 of Wild 147 and previously on our website.
The second day included the Para climbers division. Everyone was super excited to see Kate (pictured), Rachel and Stuart climb. Thanks to all three for jumping in the deep end on the National stage. Hopefully we see the growth of this category in the coming years.
The main event of course was the Open A male and female divisions. The crowd packed every available space at Urban Climb for the Sunday night finals ‐ even overflowing outside. It was here the audience witnessed both heartbreak and triumph close up. Both Tasmanian Roxy Perry, and NSW climber Jarred Jordan slipped off their respective finals routes low down.
Claire Langmore shares the female Open A podium with competitor Lucy Stirling.
The battle in the male division came down to the ‘old hand’ James Kassey and the ‘young gun’ Campbell Harrison. Fresh off the back of a World Cup bouldering competition, Kassey hadn’t had the best preparation for a lead event. Harrison’s endurance and route reading abilities meant that it was time to hand over the torch. Harrison crossed the gap between the walls on the spectacular sculptured HRT features with ease, coming o-so-close to topping out the climb. A big weekend for the young Victorian taking out the Juniors and Open A National titles.
The ladies division was no less tense, ending with a bittersweet twist. Local star Lucy Stirling was on home ground, climbed flawlessly, had the crowd roaring support and topped out her final climb. Upon reaching the ground her elation was short lived. She was advised by the judges that her foot had inadvertently pushed against a hold not part of the final climb, subsequently her score would be stopped at that point. Despite lodging an appeal the decision stood, the door was opened for Victorian Claire Langmore to take top of the podium.
Gracious in victory, Langmore acknowledged Stirling’s outstanding performance and shared the top spot on the podium with her.
The unrelenting support and commitment from the owner and staff of Urban Climb was incredible and sets the bar high for National-level climbing events to follow. It marks a shift in the sport of indoor competition climbing in Australia ‐ a new era of growth and innovation.