Page 17 - 2006 AMA Summer

Next was the Open Lead Final, which was another very steep and complex route requiring a cool head and a sense of humour, A Tufa hold low
down caused some difficulty and this lead to an even stranger inverted spike. From there a long reach to a small hold then another hard move to a hidden hold behind the arête. This route was a serious challenge and produced several falls. Eventually two climbers managed to top out, this required a Super Final!
The climax of the event was the Elite Final. This was a monster 40 move stamina test piece on the left hand leg of the main climbing wall. It involved precise footwork and skillful route reading to piece together the complex sequences. Efficiency and quick climbing was the key. Ten competitors, eight Elite finalists plus two Open Super Finalists were given the opportunity to view the route. It was then into the isolation area.
One by one each competitor came out of isolation in reverse order from the semi final results. There were a few surprises with some not climbing as well as expected and others doing better. The crowd was treated to an amazing display of climbing skill and determination by Lt Simon Whitcher, the eventual winner.
Director Army Sports Control Board Maj Gen Elliot and Col John Peacock AMA Vice President kindly presented prises.
Many thanks to all those who helped out with the running of the event, too many to mention. The Sponsors this year again made an outstanding contribution, with Cotswold Outdoor donating Trophies; High Places & HB Climbing donating equipment and vouchers, Climb Magazine donated free subscriptions and Trinity Insurance supported the VIP lunch. W ithout the
support of the sponsors the competition would not be possible.
www.cotswoldoutdoor.com www.hbclimbing.com www.high-places.co.uk www.climbmagazine.com www.trinity-ins.com
Next years competion will be on 27/28 Apr 06 at the WICC. Details can be found on the website www.theama.org.uk .
FINAL RESULTS
AMA RETIRED
Maj (Rtd) Richard Baker
GUEST
CpI Lee Croft - RAF Odiham
VETERAN
SSgt Rees - 34 Fd Hosp
SUPER VETERAN
Maj Steve Marsh - SPSTS
TEAM
1st 35 Engr Regt
2nd 17 Port & Maritime Regt
OPEN TOP ROPE
1st OCdt McClusky - RMAS 2nd CpI Duxbury - 17 Port & Maritime Regt
3rd LCpI Herbert 27 Regt RLC
ARMY VS TA Army
JUNIOR (U21)
1st Cfn Jouan - 7 Bn REME 2nd Cfn Gunn - DCAE
3rd Cfn Fulford - DCAE
LADIES REG & TA
1st OCdt Morgan - Sheffield UOTC
2nd Lt Gallagher - 27 Regt RLC
3rd LCpI Finnie - JARIC
OPEN TA
1st Tpr Stephenson - HAC 2nd OCdt Edwards - Sheffield UOTC
3rd Sgt Hill - BSTT
ELITE TA
1st OCdt Morgan - Sheffield UOTC
OPEN REG
1st Maj McEwen - DSTL
2nd LCpI Blackman - 35 Engr Regt
3rd W 02 Best - HQ 5 Div
ELITE
1st Lt W hitcher -
2nd Sgt Owen - Coldstream Guards Band
3rd Capt Stevenson - AHIPT
On the Elite final route.
Climber on route three.
ARMY MOUNTAINEER 15