British Bouldering Competition.

The S7 British Bouldering Championship was held recently at the Foundry in Sheffield. There was a turn out of 79 climbers all competing for the prize pool of £1500. Each competitor had twelve qualifying problems to try, with three attempts at each problem. Points would be awarded according to which attempt was successful with bonus holds on the problems. The atmosphere was pretty informal (but still closely judged) and the climbers could attempt them in what order they liked over the 3½ hours.

Favourite Malcolm Smith made it look simple as he dispatched the qualifying problems with out breaking sweat. He did, however, fall off one problem when his foot popped of a tiny polished smear, but we all have our off days! He did it next go. Strong local Neil Travers kept him close company along with another local Justin Plumtree and Bristol boy Chris Savage who found the going 'easy'. Words he would rue in the final.

In the women's, Claire Murphy was in such good form that it would take a very committed challenge to keep her from retaining her title. Katherine Schirmacher had other ideas and with Claire made the final comfortably to be joined by Rebecca Allen and Siobhan Coughlan. Jemma Powell, who recently climbed a 7c+ route on her local wall, dominated the girl's, only falling off one problem. The boys however were more closely matched and who would win was anybody's guess.

In the finals 5 problems had to be attempted onsight and only six minutes allowed for each. The junior girls were first and following on from her impressive qualifying form Jemma Powell won effortlessly, flashing all of the problems. Second place was taken by Sadie Renwick and Julia Warboys was third.

The boys final proved a tight contest between Stewart Watson, Tom Lawrence and the diminutive Danny Cattell. In the end Stewart and Tom flashed all of the problems and Stewart took the title on countback. Danny came close to flashing them all but fell off the last move on the very last problem.

The women were next and the focus of attention was Claire and Katherine. Claire was soon into her stride and began to dispatch each problem with her typically powerful approach. She flashed four of the problems but came unstuck on one problem, technical bridging up a groove. She got it at the next attempt to win the title for the second successive year. Valiantly Katherine did her best to match Claire but it was never quite enough. Coming to the last problem, she had to do it to clinch second place. Falling off at the first attempt she recomposed herself, took the maximum rest and with only a minute left, she surged to the top.