In reply to Graeme Alderson:
> the Americans will be favourites in Vail, living year round at 6,000ft is a big advantage for Vail.
But surely most/all of the climbers don't live in Vail and live at more normal elevations the rest of the year. The main advantage is surely not being knackered from from continuous jetlag and travel of the previous rounds I'd have thought.
> The deadline for applications was end of April so no chance of getting a British round next year.
Too bad. Maybe the year after then.
It's interesting how Aikyo is seen as a superstar in Japan after her WC successes and appears on TV regularly.
Having the World Champ here has got to be good news, especially in the run up to the Olympics.