The 2018 British Bouldering Championships took place at Devonshire Green, Sheffield last weekend. A huge crowd gathered to watch the UK's top bouldering stars, in addition to a number of online viewers via the BBC Sport livestream - an exciting first for UK climbing competition coverage.
© Alex Messenger
Hannah Slaney and Nathan Phillips became the new 2018 champions, taking over the reign of 2017 winners Leah Crane and Tyler Landman. A number of GB team members were absent from the event due to injury and other commitments, particularly in the women's category, leaving the field relatively open.
© Pete Burnside
© Alex Messenger
The title was decided on the final boulder, which both women flashed, but Hannah won having made one less attempt than Jen on the first problem with four flashes. Natalie Berry placed 3rd with three tops and four zones ahead of up-and-coming 16 year-old Glaswegian climber Hannah Smith.
© Alex Messenger
Nathan Phillips took his first Senior BBC title ahead of Matt Cousins and Dave Barrans. All three topped 3 boulders, but Nathan required just one less attempt than Matt to secure gold.
© Pete Burnside
Dave was competing in his 15th BBCs, which was celebrated during the athlete presentation with a gift of balloons and champagne. Varied routesetting kept the crowd entertained with some spectacular dynos and technical moves by Jamie Cassidy and his team.
© Alex Messenger
Live commentary by Niall Grimes and Percy Bishton fired up the crowd and encouraged the competitors with good humour. Gaz Parry and Mike Langley donned shirts to commentate and present on the BBC Sport livestream, which was provided by the Technative team.
© Alex Messenger
Watch the semi-finals replay on BBC iPlayer here.
Watch the finals replay on BBC iPlayer here.
Men
1. Nathan Phillips
2. Matt Cousins
3. Dave Barrans
4. Max Ayrton
5. Aidan Roberts
6. Alex Waterhouse
© Alex Messenger
Women
1. Hannah Slaney
2. Jen Wood
3. Natalie Berry
4. Hannah Smith
5. Rhoslyn Frugtniet
6. Ettie Warren
© BMC |
© BMC |
Massive congratulations to Hannah Slaney & Nathan Phillips, our new British Bouldering Champions! Full results of #BBCs2018 are here: Also huge thanks to:@SheffieldBID @theoutdoorcity @beta_climbing @bleaustoneholds #Lapis #SquadraHolds @nomadvolumes #xcult #23Holds #CaptainCrux pic.twitter.com/3NDZYvRax2
— BMC Comps (@BMC_Comps) July 8, 2018
Comments
Nice one Natalie! Doing UKC proud!
Thanks. Can't move today!
Out of interest, where was Shauna?
Didn't qualify.
;-)
Shauna's finger injury flared up again.
Molly Thompson Smith's injury I presume is still recovering. It was a really bad pulley injury needing surgery.
Not sure about several other top contenders though. No Michaela Tracy, no Leah Crane or Gracie Martin? Did they get knocked out earlier on or simply not compete and if so why?