In the qualifications I could top out the first route. In the second route I took the edge of a volume that came out of the wall at the top. I thought I was allowed to take it but I wasn’t. So I didn’t top out.

The final route was very hard. I could climb the first part which was technical. Then I came at a point where I decided to jump to a hold on a volume and touch it instead of going to a hold on the left because I thought I was going to fall. I am very happy that I became 1st. My friends Jessica Pilz (AUT) and Hannah Baehr (GER) became 2nd and 3th.

Loïc Timmermans (BEL) became 1st in de male youth A. Because of this he won the European Youth Cup!

It was a great competition and I am thankfull for this competition season and for the friendships.

I really liked the competition in the beautiful town of Pau. There was a great atmosphere and it was very sunny.

The first qualification route was very hard. When I clipped the top quickdraw I let go. But I was mistaken! The real top quickdraw was a few moves to the left. So no TOP!! But luckily, thank God, I could top out the second qualification route, a very stressfull one which I didn’t really like. It was technical with flat holds. I was placed 7th before the finals.

Chloé Caulier (BEL) topped out both qualification routes, but clipped the last quickdraw in one route 3 seconds too late. She climbed very strong and was placed 4th before the finals.

The first part of the final route was technical, than there was an overhanging part and at the end the holds were very flat. I am very happy that I could climb the highest. I am very thankful. Salomé Romain (FRA) became 2nd and Jessica Pilz (AUT) 3rd.
Chloé Caulier climbed very good. She became 4th.

Loïc Timmermans (BEL) ended up 7th. A heelhook slipped in a dynamic move.

There were 16 climbers in the Belgian Team. I want to thank everybody for supporting me.

Videoclip of the finals.

Photographer: Timmermans

Chloé Caulier Photographer: Timmermans

Chloé Caulier Photographer: Timmermans

Anak Verhoeven Photographer: Timmermans

Anak Verhoeven Photographer: Timmermans

Belgian Team Photographer: Timmermans

In September Manuela (Mela) from Switzerland came 2 weeks to Belgium. We trained together and we had a lot of fun. It was a fantastic time and I liked it very much. Thank you Mela for being such a lovely friend!

Manuela Sigrist

The World Youth Chamionships were held in Imst. A lot of atletes from 50 countries from all around the world came to Austria.

After the qualification round, I was placed 4th, tied with Anne-Sophie Koller (SUI). In the semi-finals I could top out together with Jessica Pilz (AUT) and Ievgeniia Kazbekova (UKR).

In the final route and I climbed up to the roof and found it very complicated. I did choose to go straight instead of right. I went to a foothold and fell although I was not pumped.

Jessica Pilz is the World Youth Champion, Ieveniia Kazbekova was 2nd and Salomé Romain (FRA) 3rd! I was 4th and a bit disappointed, but I really enjoyed the friendships with the Youth B girls.

Congratulations to Loïc Timmermans who finished 3th in the male Youth A!

After the qualification round I was placed 4th, tied with Hannah Baehr (GER) and Julia Chanourdie (FRA). Some climbed the second qualification route in the shade but some of us had to climb the route in the bright sun.

In the final route there was a very far move to go to hold 56. I could just touch the hold. Hannah had done the same. Jessica Pilz (AUT) who had topped both qualification routes also touched that hold. Unfortunately she touched the bottom of the hold and was given 55+ (after an appeal of both the German and the Belgian coach). She is very strong but just smaller than Hannah and I. I feel sorry for her that this move was way too far for us, Youth B girls!

So Hannah and I had to climb a superfinal. Hannah managed to touch hold 61 (super) and I could touch hold 63.

Loïc Timmermans (BEL) Youth A male, climbed very well. However, he was called down after 8 minutes (he climbs with a stopwatch to keep an eye on his climbing time but he forgot to start the stopwatch). He still won the silver medal!

EYC Imst 2011