Last weekend I competed in the 3rd round of the European Youth Series at EICA Ratho, Edinburgh. I had been especially looking forward to this event on the calendar due to it taking place in my home climbing arena and in front of a home crowd!
After qualifying in 6th place for the finals (my first entry into a final for over a year after setbacks such as 5 -week recovery period after a hernia operation in April and exams/schoolwork) I was incredibly psyched to push myself and gain a podium finish.
Unfortunately I picked up a minor wrist injury on my second qualification route, and there was some doubt as to whether I would be able to compete the following day. After lots of ice and heat treatment and a good rest the injury had recovered just in time. In competition climbing the finals are always “on-sight”-which means that the competitors are held together in an “isolation” zone with no prior knowledge as to how others have climbed the route, apart from a 6-minute group observation period where the route is viewed and climbers can work out the best method to complete it, either alone or through consulting their fellow competitors.
I felt calm and confident as I walked out to climb in front of a very enthusiastic crowd, consisting primarily of British people – the GB Team, local Edinburgh climbers and press. The volume of their screams and shouts spurred me on to keep climbing through some powerful moves, and I really appreciated their support.
I achieved 4th place, missing out on a podium place despite coming 3rd equal in the final due to countback (where the competitor I was equal with qualified in a higher position in the earlier rounds). In all the competition was great fun and showed that my training has been picking up again! I can’t wait to start using my Compex mi-Sport, Bring on the next round of the EYS in Kranj, Slovenia in November!
Photo Credit: Will Carroll
Name: Natalie Berry