The first IFSC Lead World Cup of the season will take place this weekend in Chamonix, France. With the Bouldering World Cup taking a pause, we thought it might be best to showcase a few Canadian athletes that will be joining the Lead circuit.
Canadian Starters
Sean McColl
Sean McColl needs no introduction. Originally from North Vancouver, BC, Sean originally began climbing at The Edge Climbing Centre under the tutelage of Andrew Wilson and Mike Doyle. Sean recently placed 1st in the IFSC Bouldering World Cup Chongqing and place 2nd in his last IFSC Lead World Cup in in Kranj at the end of last season. Here is a little interview with Sean that we did earlier this year.
Elan Jonas-McCrae
Originally from Nanaimo, BC, Elan currently trains at THe Boulders Climbing Gym in North Saanich, BC. Elan has had a greats year, making boulder ascents of Force of Nature (v13/14) in Moe’s Valley, Utah, Direct North (v14), The Swarm (v14), both in Bishop, CA, and The Reckoning (v14) in Squamish, BC. He also finished the 2014 IFSC Lead World Cup season in 16th place. Elan has been training hard this year and made a big impression at the IFSC World Cup Training Camp this year. Check out our interview with Elan.
Elan Jonas-McRae on Lucid Dreaming (v15). Photo courtesy of Matt Haig ©
Allison Stewart-Patterson
Another British Columbian Athlete, Allison Stewart-Patterson also trains in Central Saanich, BC at The Boulders Climbing Gym. Allison is ranked 1st place overall in the Difficulty Open category for British Columbia. This will be Allison’s first time competing in the Women Lead category, with previous appearances in Women’s Speed, placing 13th in Central Saanich, BC, and Female Junior Lead, where she last placed 29th in Central Saanich. See our interview with Alison here.
Alison Stewart-Patterson. Photo courtesy of Shane Murdoch ©
Francis Bilodeau
Francis Bilodeau is from St. Basile, La Grand, Quebec and competed last year in the Male Junior Lead category in both New Caledonia and New Mexico. Without Francis Bilodeau, it would be a British Columbian sweep in terms of athletes competing. This will be his first time competing in the Men’s Lead category.
Photo courtesy of Shane Murdoch
Kyle Murdoch
Kyle Murdoch is from Vancouver, BC and he trains at The Hive Climbing gym under Matt Johnson. Kyle is new to the World Cup circuit, previously competing as a Youth in New Caledonia and New Mexico. This will be Kyle’s first time in Europe and he will be on the circuit for two months. Last summer, Kyle sent Division Bell (5.13d) and has aspirations to travel and climb outdoors over the next few years.
Robert Stewart-Patterson
Not to be missed, Robert Stewart Patterson will be competing the Men’s Speed side of the competition. Robert has competed in the World Cup for the last two years and recently placed 15th in Haiyang, China. Robert holds his own on the difficulty side of things as well but it looks like this time around he is dedicated to flying up the speed wall.
Photo courtesy of Shane Murdoch
Good luck to all our Canadian athletes this weekend. Be sure to check back for the live feed of semi-finals and finals. To get up all hyped up, here is the video of last years competition.
