This weekend, Climb Base 5 will play host to the second bouldering competition of the season. Doors open for finals at 345pm and will surely not disappoint. The house was packed last year, so be sure to get their on time to get you place on the mat.
On the Women’s side of the competition, a number of competitors are making their way back to the competition scene after being absent two weeks ago at the first competition of the season. Leading the pack is Tiffany Melius who is just off a first place with at the Australian Nationals Bouldering Championship followed by Allison Vest who is coming off a third place win in Texas at the Austin Boulder Fest.
Tiffany Melius at last years November Sessions. Photo by Ken Chow ©
These women will have their work cut out for them, as young guns Sophie Buitendyk and Mika Hosai will be at their heels vying for a place on the podium. Still missing from the action is Alannah Yip, who has had an unknown absence from the first competition two weeks ago and will miss the competition this week.
Mika Hosai. Photo by Shane Murdoch ©
On the Men’s side of things, the competition looks tight, with Kin Wah Lai defending his title from the first competition of the season against young gun Andrew Funk, who recently moved to Vancouver from Edmonton and Ryder Hoy, who is back on the mainland after finishing up school on the Island.
Andrew Funk in Arco, Italy. Photo by Shane Murdoch ©
Kin Wah Lai. Photo by Shane Murdoch ©
These guys are looking strong during the lead up to this competition and this weekend will really tell where they stand. A shout out should also go out to Christian De Vries, who will be bring a group down from Kelowna, BC as well as competing. This will also be the second competition to see JJ Mah come back into the mix to test his well mastered technique against the young whipper snappers.
JJ Mah. Photo by Shane Murdoch ©
Special thanks to Climb Base 5 for putting on the competition and Shane Murdoch and Ken Chow for the photos. Dorrs open for Finals @ 345pm. Be there!
Update: We recently heard back from Alannah Yip on her absence from competition this year and she let us know that she is currently taking a break from local competition to focus on the World Cup circuit but will be taking an active role behind the scenes.
