In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com:
Mick, I think it's a shame you're basically getting people to sound like they're downplaying Lucy Creamers achievements, which they aren't. What she's done is fantastic, and she's clearly one of the best female climbers the UK has produced.
But when you talk about world class, i think it's a bit more clear cut than you're trying to make out. In football, where names are well known, a handful of names would be produced, and that's a sport with a LOT more participants than climbing... Ronaldo, Messi, Gerrard etc (cue debate on who's a world class footballer). In climbing, world class MALE climbers (talking sport climbing here), I'd say currently there's Sharma, Ondra, Usobiaga, Ramon whatsisname, and maybe Andrada and Steve Mclure? They're redpointing 9b's, onsighting 8c, and lots of them. With the FEMAlES, the likes of Duriff onsighting 8b+, and the SLovenian lady redpointing 8c+, and Josune Berjdsfbjdbjkfbjksd repdointing 9a, clearly stand out head and shoulders as world class.
Again, this isnt in any way to dismiss what British women are doing, but redpointing 8b+ doesnt really compare with this, in the same way that coming in 5th in the olympic semi final in 9.98 seconds, doesnt really compare with smashing the world record in 9.69 seconds. Despite your insistence that world class isn't definable, I think it's clear that these are 2 different levels.
What REALLY astounds me is your ridiculous arrogance in thinking that you are some sort of authority figure on this, and seem to be actively discouraging debate on your website! Perhaps you prefer the usual pish that gets talked about on here?
Anyway, well done to all folk mentioned above. You're very good at climbing rocks.