IFSC World Youth Campionship - Sydney

Catch the IFSC World Youth Championship live from today

http://www.sportclimbingaustralia.org.au/1.0/WYC/streaming.htm

Asian Youth Cup & Spiderkids 2008

The Asian Youth Cup & Spiderkid 2008 is probably the bigeest regsional youth competition to date. 36 categories, all 3 disciplnes and 6 age-groups. This is the first time we are seeing competitors under 13 years old competiting in a regional event.

The competition saw Thailand winning 2 superfinals over Indonesia in the boulder discipline. Indonesia nevertheless become the overall champion winning 30 out of 36 gold.

Competition for the first day was rather chaotic (staring list was not prepared, competitors were given duplicate number tags). AFSC Delegate, Jury Pres and I had to do everything ourselves. The local judges who are Sydney-bound were not helping as much as we expected them to. For the next few days, I have to double up as results service while Jury Pres have to oversee the isolation. I even have to bring the laptop and printer to my room to finish the work, going to bed only after 2am. As the competition continues, we seek to slowly get back on track starting and ending on time with the luxury of a well deserved rest between the running categories.

Asian Youth Cup 2008 can be described as catastrophic, but the experiences obtained is definitely much more than a well orchestrated competions as it forces one to think first and learn quickly from the limitations. Comparing day one and the last day of the competition, I could proudly said that we have done a good job.

Bali Here I Come

Am now boarding my plane to Bali for the Asian Youth Cup judging assignment. This competition will feature the youth categories and the first ever spiderkid categories (13 years and under). All 3 disciplines will be included.

The IFSC International Judges & Routesetter Course will take place in Sydney next week. Applicants will have to see for a theory test and practical training in the World Youth Championship. Chee Yeong will be the only person attending the Judges Course while Rozihan (Yan) will be going to the Routesetter Course. Wish them all the best and look forward to hearing their experience.

There's been a lot of discussion with regards to the recent NSSCC. Issues ranges from judging and routesetting issues, format, quota etc. This has prompted part of the climbing community to hold a dialogue session with SMF to see how both groups can complement each other and work together next year. We look forward to a better NSSCC next year.

Wrap it Up Like This

Using a video compilation is probably the best way to wrap up a comp...