Page 34 - AMA Winter 2023/24

SPORTCLIMBING
INTER-SERVICE
SPORT CLIMBING
CHAMPIONSHIPS 2023
TMatt Price
he Inter-Service Sport Climbing Championships is an annual event that brings together the three
military services to compete against each other in sport climbing. These champion- ships are designed to foster teamwork, encourage physical fitness, and promote a competitive spirit.
The championships took place at Beacon Climbing Centre, Caernarfon, Wales on the 15th June 23. In these championships the style of climbing was lead climbing. Each service could submit a team of up to 15 senior males, 7 junior males and 8 females. From these teams the top 5 senior males, top 3 junior males & top 3 females go on to the final.
QUALIFICATION
There were two qualifying routes in each category that were used to separate the competitors and determine who would move onto the finals.
Senior men’s qualification route one was a technical climb which required good footwork and route reading skills, showing that a lot of competitors have developed a great knowledge of route reading skills with multiple tops on qualifier one. Quali- fication route two was the opposite, being overhanging and powerful. This route
required the climbers to have a high level of upper body strength and power endurance making for a difficult climb and only seeing two tops.
Onto the junior men’s category. With over half of the junior males topping out on the first route, it all came down to the qualifying second route. Route two was a slightly over hanging tough first half that continued into a tricky finish, which saw the most skilled climbers achieve a top.
Lastly for the qualifiers came the female category. Similar to the junior males, it all came down to one route. The technical masterclass of route one, with tricky route reading and delicate holds made the fight to the top a tough one to achieve and ultimately receiving no tops.
THE FINALS
Making their way into the final were six senior men, six junior men and seven females.
The final’s consisted of one route, per category, to see who was going to take the overall individual trophies.
First up, came the females. Their route was very steep and ‘pumpy.’ The route required a lot of ‘power endurance’ and a good eye for a rest to recover, ready for the scary run out finish with a potential big whipper if unable to top out the route. Reaching the podium were:
1st – Capt Emily Palmer (Army) 2nd – 2Lt Rachel Parker (Army) 3rd – LCpl Sammie Kwong (Army) Winning Team – Army
Up next was the junior men’s section. This was a crimpy route, requiring good finger strength and body flexibility. After the Army and RAF had tied on points at the end of the final, it was decided between them that
Emily Palmer – Female Section Winner
Ben Thomas - 2nd place Junior Section
a ‘Super Final’ was to take place between the top four. If this was to end in a tie again, the team trophy was agreed to be shared, which was how it turned out with:
1st – AS1 Rhys Hall (RAF) 2nd – Lt Ben Thomas (Army) 3rd – Lt John Stubbs (Army) Winning Team – Army/RAF
Finally, the senior men. This route had it all! Composed of crimps, cracks, slopers, any type of hold that you can think of was used in this gruelling route. This only received one top, which was from LCpl Andrew Mawhinney. Watching his fight to the top was inspiring for all to see. There was a lot of strength, skill and determination shown and concluded in a very well-deserved win for the senior men with the trophies shared between all three services:
1st – LCpl Andrew Mawhinney (Army) 2nd – Sqn Ldr Dan Heath (RAF)
3rd – Mne Rich Cannell (Royal Navy) Winning Team – Army
To conclude, An amazing competition, in a great centre with some passionate climbers. There are many thanks for the organisers, the centre, and the route setters for contributing to a great event.
Andrew Mawhinney - Senior Male Winner
34 / ARMY MOUNTAINEER