This weekend, the Hive North Shore played host to the their 2016 CEC National Series Bouldering competition, highlighting their spectacular world class venue for events such as these. Going into finals, both the Men’s and Women’s side of the competition looked stacked, with each competitor needing to put on a top performance to end up on the podium.
Jesse Taplin on #1. Photo courtesy of Shane Murdoch ©
Using a four by four format with five minutes between climbers, the action moved fast around the facility and kept the excitement up for the 200+ spectators in the room. The problems themselves featured a variety of sloppy holds and volumes, leaving little room for mistakes.
Jani Zoraj on #3. Photo courtesy of Ken Chow ©
On the Women’s side of the competition, the first three problems proved to be too difficult for the competitors, with not a single competitor making a top until the fourth and final problem. As Allison Vest, Jani Zoraj, and Alannah Yip all flashed the fourth problem, the win would come down to bonuses on the Women’s side, with Alyssa Weber making one more bonus than Jani Zoraj to take the win.
Alyssa Weber on #2. Photo courtesy of Ken Chow ©
On the Men’s side, the sloppy and technical problems gave the field substantial difficulties, with problem two and four not seeing tops. The night came down to the two final competitors, Mike Foley and Eric Sethna, who looked strong and ready to go, both flashing the first problem. . As both competitors came very close on problem two, the pair both flashed problem three, leaving everything on the table for problem four which proved too slopey for both athletes. Despite substantial efforts from all competitors, the top of the podium would come down to one attempt in qualifiers, pushing Mike Foley to first place, followed by Eric Sethna and Jesse Taplin.
Mike Foley on #2. Photo couresty of Ken Chow ©
JJ Mah on #3. Photo courtesy of Ken Chow ©
Overall, the competition was a huge success with what appeared to be seamless action and fantastic behind-the-scenes work by the crew at The North Shore Hive and all of the volunteers that came out for this event. Despite some difficulties with differentiation in both categories, the problems for this event proved exciting for the crowd as they got behind each climber with their cheers. Testing out the problems the next day with a group of well-seasoned climbers, the problems were certainly difficult and all required some serious technical ability to hold the mostly sloping features. Add this to a room full of people (see: very warm) and the pressure of competition, you would most likely find yourself having a palm sweating good time.
Special thanks to Ken Chow and Shane Murdoch for the photos and capturing the event.
Women’s Open
1. Alyssa Weber
2. Jani Zoraj
3. Alannah Yip
4. Eva Thompson
5. Lucie Hrozova
6. Sophie Buitendyk
7. Allison Vest
8. Celeste Wall
Men’s Open
1. Mike Foley
2. Eric Sethan
3. Jesse Taplin
4. Kin Wah Lai
5. Derek Runions
6. Matt Wellington
7. JJ Mah
8. Tosh Sherkat
9. Andrew Funk
10. Ivan Luo
Extra Photos. All courtesy of Shane Murdoch and Ken Chow ©