British Bouldering Championships Series

10th July, 2018

This has been read 8,792 times

2018 - Report

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.

Hannah Slaney: Female BBC champion 2018. © Alex Messenger — Hannah Slaney: Female BBC champion 2018.
© 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.

Athlete presentation ahead of the 2018 finals. © Pete Burnside — Athlete presentation ahead of the 2018 finals.
© Pete Burnside

19 year-old Hannah added the British Bouldering Champion title to her 2017 British Lead Climbing Champion win after a closely-fought contest with Jen Wood.

A healthy crowd gathers for the finals. © Alex Messenger — A healthy crowd gathers for the finals.
© 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.

Jen Wood was the only woman to top P2 in semis.
© 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.

Matt Cousins fighting his way to 2nd place. © Pete Burnside — Matt Cousins fighting his way to 2nd place.
© 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.

Nathan Phillips took his first senior BBC title. © Alex Messenger — Nathan Phillips took his first senior BBC title.
© 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.

UKC's Natalie Berry on her way to 3rd place. © Alex Messenger — UKC's Natalie Berry on her way to 3rd place.
© 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

A presentation of champagne and balloons to Dave Barrans, who was competing in his 15th BBCs. © Alex Messenger — A presentation of champagne and balloons to Dave Barrans, who was competing in his 15th BBCs.
© Alex Messenger

Women

1. Hannah Slaney

2. Jen Wood

3. Natalie Berry

4. Hannah Smith

5. Rhoslyn Frugtniet

6. Ettie Warren

Senior Female BBC podium 2018. © BMC — Senior Female BBC podium 2018.
© BMC

Senior Male BBC podium 2018. © BMC — Senior Male BBC podium 2018.
© 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